Placed for a Purpose

Gardening is a very rewarding hobby. I love what I call “playing in the dirt.” I enjoy watching the growth and am always amazed at Gods creations. When any seed is planted, it is placed in a hole and covered with dirt and watered with the expectancy of a seedling to grow out of the ground. As we should be when God places us in a situation that will help us grow spiritually.

Just as the seed is placed under ground for a purpose we are placed in certain situation for the purpose. That purpose for the glory of His Kingdom. These situations are for the purpose of building character in Christ and not to break us down. Jeremiah 17:7-8 talks about the tree planted by the water. The tree is said to have strong roots that absorbs nourishment from the water. In any weather (circumstances) the tree always bears fruit. The leaves stay green and does not wither away in the cold season.

The devil wants us to think we have been buried and God is punishing us for something we did or neglected to do. As you can see the same actions take place with planting and burring: you are placed in a hole and covered with dirt, you can’t see anything, hear anything, it may be cold, you may feel alone and in an enclosed space where it’s hard to move around, almost feeling trapped. These are times when we ask the “why” or “where” questions. Why is this happening to me? Where is God? Are my prayers reaching Him, has he turned a deaf ear? I’m being faithful, setting my money aside, giving as I prosper, studying His word…. why are these things happening to me?

God has placed or planted you in this situation or circumstances to grow. The enemy use this to make us think God is not here and we are doomed to live this way forever. My friend it is not over! God see something in you that HE wants to bring out and use for the glory of His kingdom. Be patient and trust the process. As the roots on the tree grows and get nourishment from the water, let us dig our spiritual roots deeper in Christ which is the Living water. When we do this, we build our character in Christ and our spiritual leaves will always be green no matter what the enemy throws our way. We will be able to bear fruit no matter the season of life.

Sometimes we run from the very situation God has placed us in to grow. We even try to pray it away instead of asking God to bless us through it, Abram was 75 when God first told him he would be blessed, and his offspring would inherit land. Genesis 12: 1-7. God did not fulfill that promise until he was 100 years old Genesis 17:17. Although he and Sarah tried to help God with his promise, God still held true to his promise in his own time.

I want to encourage you to increase your faith when things seem dark, and you feel God has left you. He who started a good work in you will complete it Philippians 1:6. Stay planted! Let God have His way. All things work together for good to those who love God and is called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Written by Robin Darden