Bloom

It’s been through a lot.  Two and a half years ago a deep trench was dug around the foundation of our home. All livings things and systems were uprooted.  Dirt was then replaced back into the trench after the foundation had been tiled.  The soil was tampered and hard pressed to even the ground.  Next the landscaping tarp was laid over the dirt to prevent weeds and other non-wanted plants to grow in awkward unplanned places.  A brick border was laid around the foundation of the house. Finally, tons of rocks were hauled in and dumped over the landscaping tarp 5 inches thick. Even after all this upheaval, misplacement, and covering, the tulip still blooms.  For the past two springs it has pushed through the rock, tarp, and brick. It springs up through the ground where it receives sunlight, warmth, and rain.  It’s blooming now.  The wind gusts. The temperature drops.  Yet it remains alive; showing its beauty amongst the rock.  It blooms even though it looks unmistakably awkward and out of place.  Not only does it keep blooming, this golden sign of spring speaks to my soul.

It speaks about the kind of work God does with the heart of a human. When planted in the rich soil of his forgiveness and healing a blooming miracle occurs.  We are dug up out of our sin state and tossed out of the destruction path we were headed down. We are replanted or as the bible refers to “born again.” The world, Satan’s schemes, and our own selfish desires try to hard press, bury, and cover us with heavy burdens of shame, fear, doubt, worry, and defeat. The lies from the devil, the rude remarks from others, and our own self- doubt cover us with heavy rocks that seem insurmountable.  Yet with the help of the Holy Spirit inside; we grow. We push through the pressed dirt, the tarp covering, the brick, the rock, and we grow deep roots in the rich soil of our Savior’s love and desire for us.  Nothing can stop us from blooming. We must. We have to. We do.  Even in the most awkward of places, even in the most debilitating circumstances, even in the deepest places of brokenness we grow a bud that must burst into a bloom and come alive. Just like the misplaced tulip that rightly belongs in a garden amongst manicured landscapes planned out by a Master Gardener’s plan, we too are alien blooms splashing color on the dark backdrop of fallen life in this world.  But yet we bloom. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. -2 Corinthians 5:17

Where are you planted? Bloom There.