A common saying among Christians is “bloom where you are planted.” I did not grow up in a Christian environment, but I did begin hearing this saying when I started Bible college.
While there are many Christians who live by this saying, there are many who find it cliché. This is something that happens within Christian communities because once you recite a saying too many times, it loses its effect. The saying is no longer insightful–it is simply redundant.
However, for many Christians, they are still in love with this saying. For many Christians, this is a popular saying because they feel it is biblical, comforting, and brings a sense of peace. The idea of blooming where you are planted means that you can bloom no matter where you go.
Whether you are leaving for college or moving to a new city for work, you can still bloom. This is why many Christians cling to this saying. It helps give them a sense of bravery while still maintaining a level of comfort.
Is ‘Bloom Where You Are Planted’ a Biblical Saying?
When you look in the Bible, you will not find the saying, “bloom where you are planted.” While the idea is nice, it is not found within Scripture. However, just because a saying is not found in the Bible does not mean it cannot be inspiring for us as believers.
We can appreciate it while also acknowledging it is not gospel truth. Blooming where you are planted gives us the challenge to know that we can flourish no matter what situation we are in. If we are trying out a new career and are stressed about it, we can still bloom. In the same way, if we just moved to a new city, we can bloom where we are planted.
All of this is because of Jesus. The Lord can give us the strength to be flexible and to grow wherever we may be placed. Throughout the Old Testament, we see God commanding the Israelites to “go” (Genesis 12:1; Deuteronomy 1:8). Never does God command the Israelites to stay where they are.
Rather, wherever He leads them, they thrive. This is not because of anything they have done. It is because of God. God is the One who gives us success when we are trying to bloom. Just as He gave Israel success whenever He planted them, we can rest in the promise that God will help us to bloom.
Although this is not a biblical saying, it can be defined as relating to the Bible. As Derek J. Brown from the Gospel Coalition has said, an accurate definition of this saying can be defined as “Be content where God has placed you in life and make the most of your opportunity.”
Should We Treat Sayings as Absolute Truths?
Sayings are popular in the world today, such as lyrics, old catchphrases, and rhymes. These types of things can be inspirational and even helpful at times, but they are not absolute truths.
Only the Bible is the perfect, infallible, inerrant Word of God, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Does ‘Bloom Where You Are Planted’ Apply to All Situations?
Throughout our lives, we will experience many positive things and negative things. Despite our circumstances, we will still need to adapt. Times will be hard, but nothing is too hard for God. He will help us cope and adapt to our new surroundings.
He is the Master Gardener, and He will help us bloom. Sometimes we might bloom, and other times we might not. There are various factors that will influence us. At times when we are thrown into new surroundings, we will not bloom. Rather than blooming into a beautiful flower, we might never even grow petals.
We might hide in the weeds and become one with our surroundings. This is because “bloom where you are planted” is not an inspired saying. It will not apply to all settings and to all situations. It might be helpful at times, but it will not prove to be true every time.
How Can I Bloom Where I Am Planted?
Blooming where you are planted won't apply to every scenario, but it is a noble goal. We need to recognize our strengths, but we don't need to downplay our weaknesses. A person will bloom with God’s help and effort on their own part.
With anything, you have to work at it. You will not accomplish everything overnight. Blooming and flourishing in new surroundings will take much of your time, energy, and tears. God will be with you every step of the way, but you also have to try to adapt to your new situation.
Try to keep a positive attitude and be active in prayer. Times will get difficult, but turn to the Lord. Human beings are amazing in the way that we can adapt. However, don't beat yourself up if you don't adapt as fast as you would like. Everyone adapts and blooms at different times.
Take your time and allow yourself to flourish in God’s timing. Keep working at doing your best, strive to serve the Lord, and stay true to the faith.
Is it Okay to Struggle Where You Are Planted?
Struggling where you are planted is all too common. Being taken out of your normal setting and thrown into new surroundings is very difficult. It is okay to struggle when you are being planted somewhere new. Just as it can be hard for a flower or a plant to take root, it can be hard for you to grow in your new surroundings.
In no way does struggling where you are planted mean you are any less of a Christian. All of us struggle at times, but it doesn't mean we are inferior. Being a Christians means we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. It does not mean we are perfect or we have everything figured out. It's okay to struggle–just choose to lean on God during these times.
In fact, sometimes it might be God’s will for you not to bloom where you are planted. This could be because He wants you to be planted somewhere else. Listen to God’s directions and follow Him.
Bible Verses on Living for God
The main idea of blooming where we are planted is rooted in being content in where God has placed us at the present time. Our present situation may change and when it does, we can still bloom and praise the Lord. There are many Bible verses about living for God, and they include:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23).
“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:8).
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Anton Darius
