BLOOM GOD'S WAY

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Derek Prince once said, 'a vine does not bear grapes with a lot of effort'. It does not make resolutions to say I must bear fruits. It simply bears fruit because it is connected to the vine. It is not a thing of effort.

Isn't that just so freeing?

This was a concept I struggled to grasp and I wish I had gotten this exact revelation on any of the many times I read John 15:5. However, I thank God for bringing me into this truth in His own way and at His own time. Guys, isn't it just so amazing how many revelations one can get from just one scripture? You could read John 3:16 and each time leave with a different revelation from God on how to apply that scripture. Truly the word of God is inexhaustive. It's never boring!

When I was younger, I had such a deep dissatisfaction with my life as it were and as a result, I was very prone to compare myself to others. I knew I could be better, do better, so I would ever so often beat myself up for remaining 'stuck'. Why am I still the way I am? Why am I not bearing fruits? Why am I ordinary? When will I bloom? 

Oh, If only I knew earlier that all I had to do was to remain rooted IN HIM. It really is that simple. Don't believe me? Read John 15:5 again. The vine provides the nourishment you would ever need to bloom. The vine is your source and this source never runs dry. It's roots go deep.

I believe once we really get this, we will cease striving to be and simply just become. We would cease striving for acceptance and instead cherish our own beautiful colors and the fruits we bear through the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

Remember this is not a thing of effort so don't look to yourself to force growth. It is truly not up to you for you are only but a branch. It is the vine that does the work in you, so no matter what, please do not disconnect from the vine to source for your own nourishment. From someone who has dwelled on the other side for too long a time, I can assuredly tell you that there is only heartache, frustration, and depression on the other side. On your own, you can do nothing. Seize striving and let yourself simply bloom.

We have been made to bloom, to spread light, and to show forth our beautiful colors to the Glory of God. Imagine how colorful the world would be when everyone blooms in their own way, with each one proud of the colors the vine brings forth out of them. You see, even when we begin to bloom, the devil has a way of leaving us dissatisfied with our colors or the fruits we bear but you just remember that an olive tree will not produce mangoes. You can't be planted as a rose and expect or desire to bloom as a sunflower. Let the sunflower be a sunflower. Be the rose you are. Love your own colors. Just bloom! Let yourself be the you you were made to be. The world is more beautiful anyway when we all bloom together, in our own colors, shapes, and sizes. Cherish your own growth process, and when your leaves start to shed, do not panic, do not compare, do not beat yourself up, and most importantly do not disconnect from your vine. I have learned that sometimes we have to shed to bloom again. It is all part of the growth process.  I am learning to embrace both seasons, remembering that I am still rooted IN HIM. That is all that matters.

Are you connected to the vine? If yes, then it is okay, let the dead leaves fall, it usually means your next phase of blooming is at hand. You will bloom again.

Related Scriptures: 
John 15:1-5, Psalms 139:13-15, Songs of Solomon 4:7, I Peter 2:9, Galatians 2:20,  Ephesians 1:3. 

Song Suggestions: 
You Say- Lauren Daigle, Who You Say I am- Hillsong, Good and loved- Travis Greene, You Know Me Better- Stars Go Dim