Thoughts of Grace

Oak tree growing where the Master Gardener
planted the acorn in my brother’s backyard.

“I am writing to the exiles scattered to the four winds.
Not one is missing, not one forgotten.” 1Peter 1:1, The Message

In this Scripture we have a new point of view
set forth for our consideration.
From one point of view we see a national disaster —
for hundreds of thousands of citizens have been uprooted
from their homes by an occupying army,
and driven like cattle into the highways and byways;
scattered to the four winds,
and now known only as exiles.

That’s a rather bleak picture.

But from another point of view
we see something altogether glorious.
The word for scattered in the Greek New Testament
actually means “to be sown as seed.”
In other words, while they may be viewed by man
as exiles from their country;
they were seen by God as seeds planted in new fields of glory.

If we would learn to always see our shifting circumstances
from God’s point of view,
we would not be caught up in the shift
and drift of a culture that stirs up strife
and debate over things that inconvenience us.
Rather, we would live as thankful people,
praising God for His faithfulness in all things at all times —
and we would bloom where we are planted.

God knows who you are,
where you are,
and what His plans for you are.

If you will but humbly acknowledge that He is in control,
a shift will occur in your heart and in your outlook —
sunshine will break through the dark clouds,
and your life will sprout with new purpose and great effectiveness.

You will bloom where you are planted —
and may thus discover that God has in fact brought you
to where you have always wanted to be!