"Behold I set before you this day, a blessing and a curse. A blessing if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day;" Deut. 11:26, (KJV) 

Every time my husband and I are introduced to new persons, the next thing we hear is, "And, where do you come from?" "We have come from Africa."

"All the way from Africa? Are you Missionaries?" 

I normally explain," Well, God created us there. He planted us there..He wished us to express Him and His calling there and only there: where we were planted!" 

Then we are asked, "Now that you are here in Missouri where do you live?" 

I add ,”Once you are having a new start? Where is it always safer to be?” 

The best for new sojourners becomes ONLY at a choice where our God will watch over us completely. Whatever God's plan is for man, there the highest power of guidance remains. His total protection, and the widest open doors for possibilities are only in His goal for those who "Trust and Obey." No matter how hard the plan, Our Father will see us through. For every path is orchestrated individually by God for each separate person in mind.

Well has it been said, "I know not the way He leads me but well do I know my Guide who leads me.."

What exactly is the meaning of "Bloom where you are planted? Let us look at God's Son, Jesus "the Author and Finisher of our faith" who is our sole example. A carpenter with his earthly Dad---walking for miles on end; heated prayers and great miracles followed always. Jesus of Nazareth still bloomed and brought Glory to his Father.

"THE Man OF SORROWS"...no means of contact! No Internet no phones. He still reached out.

"The Son of man had nowhere to lay his head"...could never host his disciples while he bloomed.

WHAT A GREAT HONOR FOR US TO IMITATE JESUS ! May we always recall how and where the Son was planted. We heard it said, in a "BORROWED WOMB...AND IN A BORROWED TOMB" To the complete Glory of God, our Savior-Redeemer dutifully bloomed, fully obeyed and excelled; exactly where His Father has ordained him to be.

Philippians 2: 8 (KJV) says, "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

For those who desire to live to be in God's will is to say, "Father Lord? What should I be doing now? Where exactly do You wish me to be so as to serve You with Glory?" 

If we too can copy Jesus, and keep our focus, embraced in God's will, we can avoid the most tragic occasions. These arise after wasted opportunities to be where God's call is.

Let me tell you of another great example of someone who bloomed PRECISELY where he was planted. He is a Jordanian man whom I'll call JAMAL. He was born blind and mute.(But Jamal was able to hear) He lived in one of the big churches in Jordan. During every service, Jamal sat where he would hear and FEEL God's Presence; exactly where all eyes were upon him. Even while he was unaware of his surroundings. Yet moved at hearing God's word, Jamal's face lit up and his tears flowed profusely. He raised his hands reflecting Jesus, in the deepest of praises which his tongue failed to utter. Do you know ? Jamal won hundreds of souls to the Lord because of his sensitivity to God's will. 

May we always remember...wherever God plants us, He wants and expects the best from us.

Proverbs 23:26, "My son give me your heart, and let thine (inner) eyes observe my ways." (KJV)