Gardening God’s Way
Main Scripture 1st Corinthians 3:8-9
My dear friend Dawn was moving away. We worked together many years and we were both sad about the departure. Her husband had a wonderful job opportunity out of state and Dawn felt it would be unfair and selfish to put up a fuss about the move. But, deep down she really was having a hard time leaving her job, and friends.
We all gathered together for a going-away party. I wanted to take a small gift as a memento of our time together. I found a small sign that read “Bloom where you are planted!” I hoped it would serve as encouragement for my sweet friend.
Like my friend Dawn, most of us don’t like change. Inevitably change happens to all of us. Sometimes it takes a while for us to adapt and to grow. I remember planting sunflower seeds when I was a child. I placed the seeds in the dirt, and waited…I watered the ground, and waited…. It seemed to take several weeks before the small tender green shoots began to pop up. In a few more weeks the stalks were well on their way. Finally, the beautiful flower bloomed! It was so beautiful. I think I even took a photo to coumarate the success of my green thumb! This reminds me of the scripture 1 Corinthians 3:8-9
Who do you think Paul is, anyway? Or Apollos, for that matter? Servants, both of us—servants who waited on you as you gradually learned to entrust your lives to our mutual Master. We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God’s field in which we are working.(The Message)
Of course, this passage is talking about our work as Christ followers to share the gospel. This is a great analogy! The first plants the seed, the second waters, and God makes things grow. What a privilege that God would allow us to be a part of growing someone for His Kingdom!
My friend did move away, but, she was able to bloom and even grow where she was planted. (I knew she would). We have kept in touch and she admits the move was a great one for her and her family. I like to think the small sign with encouraging words helped her “bloom” in her new town. I don’t know if maybe… just maybe…. I planted a seed or did the watering…but, I know this, God helped her grow!
Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Debbie Creamer
Transformed Student Ministry
Transformed Student Ministry 