Tag: DivinePlan

September 10, 2024 Devotional Post a Comment

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Opening Verse

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
— Galatians 6:9, KJV

Introduction

There are times in life when you may feel stuck, overlooked, or even out of place. You might wonder why you are where you are. But God often plants us in places we don’t expect, intending for us to grow and be fruitful, even in difficult or uncomfortable situations.

Devotional Story

A young woman named Emily had recently moved to a new city, far from her family and friends. She struggled to adjust to the unfamiliar environment and felt like she didn’t belong. Everything seemed harder—her job, making friends, and even finding a church to attend. She often asked God why He had placed her there.

One day, as Emily walked through a park, she noticed a small flower blooming in a crack in the sidewalk. It wasn’t in a garden or a flowerbed but in a place that seemed unlikely for anything to grow. Yet, it was flourishing. Emily felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit, reminding her that just like that flower, she too could thrive where God had placed her. The circumstances didn’t have to be ideal; she only needed to trust in God’s plan.

Inspired, Emily began to look at her surroundings with new eyes. She joined a local Bible study, reached out to her coworkers, and even volunteered at a nearby shelter. Slowly but surely, she started to see God’s purpose in her being planted in that city.

What This Means

God sometimes places us in situations that challenge us, not to harm us but to make us grow. Like a flower that blooms even in the cracks of a sidewalk, we can flourish in unexpected places when we lean on His strength. You may not understand why God has you where you are right now, but trust that He has a purpose for it. You are called to bloom where you are planted, regardless of the circumstances.

Think About This

  • Are you resisting where God has planted you? How can you embrace it and trust Him?
  • In what ways can you “bloom” in your current situation, no matter how difficult it may seem?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for planting me where I am. Help me to trust Your plan and to bloom even when the soil around me feels rocky or dry. Give me the strength and grace to grow where You have placed me, knowing that Your purpose will be fulfilled in Your time. Amen.

Closing Verse

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
— Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV

September 25, 2023 Devotional Post a Comment

Serving GOD Through Life’s Turns

In the early morning hours, a dream came to me, unbidden but clear as day. This dream served as a divine nudge, a message from God: “Serve me humbly, as you once served others.”

THE RESTAURANT YEARS: THE SEEDS OF SERVICE

Back in the day, I was a waiter at a Mexican restaurant. I loved making people’s days better just by remembering their regular orders. You wouldn’t believe how much a smile can light up the room when you remember that simplest things like if the customer drank sweet tea or unsweet.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10

It also brought me great joy to see the customers faces light up. To them it was like I had performed something miraculous just by knowing what they wanted. It made them feel special.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25

The Downfall: Losing Sight of Service

Over time, my sense of joy began to wane, gradually corroded by interactions with difficult customers. They never said it, but their body language screamed contempt. They looked down on me as if I was inferior. This toxic environment tainted my perspective, converting a job I loved into a source of bitterness and resentment.

The Family Influence: A Technological Compass

It was during this period of internal turmoil that I started to reflect on my father’s influence. Growing up, he was always self-employed, running his own business in the technology sector. He imbued me with a fascination for tech, something that I realized could be my way out of my current unhappiness.

Yet, my father too had once faced similar crossroads. He was restless in his job in a tech company, eventually realizing that he needed to forge his own path. He did exactly that, establishing his own security installation business, taking us, his children, along for this incredible ride.

And of course, he would always remind my brothers and I of Philippians 4:13 when we would work with him.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

During this period of turmoil, memories of my father’s parallel experiences started to surface. He was a man of technology, his passion coursing through my veins as well. My brothers and I would often accompany him on jobs installing security systems across Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland.

One particular job that stands out, was at one of Virginia’s first and earliest data centers. Even in that professional environment, my father remained his authentic self. A man guided by his own internal compass, he once left a job he loved in technology to start his own business, seeking a greater purpose.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10

A Full Circle Moment

Years later, by what felt like a twist of divine fate, I found myself working at one of the first and most prominent data centers in Southern Virginia. The customers I served at the restaurant had unknowingly prepared me for this moment—offering a service, networking, and paving the way for new opportunities.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

THE DREAM DECODED

In my dream, I was back at the restaurant, swamped with orders and struggling to keep up. I even goofed up a few things. But then I passed the baton to a young host who looked so grateful, and the dream ended.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

I think God is telling me to never forget the joy and humility I felt when I was serving tables. He wants me to serve Him with that same heart.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:29

So, as I sit here typing, it’s not just me—it’s the Holy Spirit guiding me. Life has a way of coming full circle, especially when you listen to God. He’s the best server of all, always knowing exactly what we need.