But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. 1 Corinthians 7:17
I pulled into the turn lane to get onto the highway that leads to our church, just like I do on many days during the week. But that day I noticed something different. There, in the concrete median, with asphalt on either side of it, was a zinnia flower in full bloom. There was a small storm drain with just a little pile of dirt that had built up before the entrance. It was small enough that it was hard to even call it a “pile” of dirt. Now, I know that flowers don’t have brains the way humans do, but follow me here. I can imagine that the seed landed in the middle of the road, with nothing but concrete all around it and thought, “What am I doing here? This is not where flowers are supposed to grow. I should be in a large field with thousands of other zinnias, or growing beautifully in someone’s flower bed, or better yet, making someone’s day in a brilliant bouquet. But, since this is where I’ve been planted, normal or not, I’m going to grow here.”
So many people dismiss the stage of life they are in because they are looking forward to the next, but in so doing, they miss the opportunity for growth that could better prepare them for that next stage. “Well,” they say, “I can’t wait to get out of high school and move into college.” Or, “I can’t wait to graduate from college and move into marriage and a church I can be involved in.” Then, “I can’t wait until I am pastoring my own church” (for those going into ministry), or “I can’t wait until they make me a deacon or a Sunday school teacher. Then I will be useful for God.” Those phrases all represent a faulty mindset. We can be useful in God’s service wherever we are right now. May I ask you a question or two? Didn’t God put you where you are now; or was He surprised by the fact that you ended up there? Do you think that His plan for your life only begins years down the road when you “finally” end up where you are going to stay for the rest of your life? I am being facetious, but my point is that God has put you where you are so you can be useful for Him in this stage of life – whatever it is.
That zinnia in the middle of the road probably would never have had a chance to grow anywhere else. No one was going to pick up that seed and replant it because no one would have ever known it was even there. But it bloomed, and it served its purpose because now I am writing about it. And so, too, can you serve your purpose right where you are planted. Don’t miss great opportunities to serve Christ because you are waiting for something better to come.
Read also: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Quote of the day: “Growth is the only evidence of life.” - Newman