Thursday thoughts: Be willing to bloom

Jill Johnson

God wants us to live a life that is noticeably different because we have Jesus.”

I just love this time of year. The weather is warm but not too warm. The flowers are blooming, which is great, minus the pollen.

When we bought our house several years ago, azaleas grew in the front yard and on the bank. Since we moved into our home in November of that year, I had no idea what color the azaleas would be. When they bloomed the first spring, they were all white. They did look beautiful, but I longed for some "colorful" ones as well.

About the third year we lived here, Wayne planted some additional azaleas up front for me. In between each white azalea, he planted bright magenta pink ones. Now, in the spring when you pull up the street to my house, the colorful pink ones that are nestled between the white ones catch your attention immediately. Against the white azaleas, the bright pink plants just seem so vibrant and bold in their color. They definitely do not blend in against the white but completely stand out, so you instantly notice them. They also make the white azaleas look so clean and somehow a much brighter white.

These azaleas have caused me to think about my faith this week. Just like the azaleas are vibrant and bold in their colors, shouldn't we be bold in our walk with the Lord? A bold color has a strong and vivid appearance, but a bold person is confident and courageous. I know that God wants us to be confident and courageous in sharing His love, His truth, and His grace with others. If we are not bold, then we must ask ourselves if we are really stepping up and making a difference for the Kingdom. We need to remember that bold, vibrant colors are eye-catching, and bold, vibrant people stand out and stand up in being fearless to share and draw others to Jesus.

Another thing I notice is that the pink and white azaleas each are highly noticeable for their own color. The colors are totally different and do not blend together, but each color stands out individually. It made me think, "Are we blending into the crowd or standing out for Jesus?" Sometimes, if I'm honest, it's so much easier for me to "blend." I don't like to be the focal point for any reason. I just like to do what I am supposed to do and not draw any attention to myself.

However, is blending always good? I have to say I don't think it is. I think God wants us to stand out. He wants us to live a life that is noticeably different because we have Jesus. He wants us to be IN the world but not OF the world. That means we can't always blend. We have to have something different (Jesus) so that others will want what we have. We have to stand up, stand out, and be a witness for Jesus in a lost world. If we don't, then who will?

I look at both colors of my azaleas and they are thriving, blooming, and beautiful. Neither of these colors had a choice where they were planted, they just bloomed where they were planted. Shouldn't we be like that? Life is hard. Things happen that we didn't expect or plan for. We are planted in situations that we may not EVER choose to be in, and honestly, some of those can be very uncomfortable.

The truth is we, like the azaleas, have to bloom where we are planted. Our faith has to be secure in knowing that God has a plan, and our security has to be in trusting HE is in control. God loves us so much that He sent His son to die for our sins. The Bible says that without the shedding of blood, there would be no forgiveness of sins. When I look at the contrast in colors of the pink and white azaleas, it makes me think about the precious blood that was shed so I might be washed white as snow. I am extremely thankful that I am forgiven.

On this week of Easter, let's remember that God wants us to be bold, be a bright spot, not blend in, and no matter what is going on in your life, bloom where you are planted. In every season, in each place, at all times, God is growing something beautiful in us. He only asks us to be willing to bloom!

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Jill Johnson finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother, and Georgian. Jill is retired from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.