If you have been to my house recently, then you may have noticed that my roses are blooming. I really didn’t know much about growing roses when I planted my first ones, but I soon learned about proper watering, preventing diseases, and pruning. I thought it was odd that, in order for the rose to grow fuller, it had to be cut back, or pruned. Christians are like roses. They come in different shapes and colors and they grow at different rates, just like the roses in my yard. Some of them I prune once a year, others I have to do more often. I’m sure that God prunes his “roses” on different schedules too.
I heard a sermon once about how God “prunes” Christians so that they may grow. At that time in my life, it was like the proverbial light bulb turning on over my head. I thought “Oh, so I can grow as a result what I am going through right now.” I think he prunes us with tough situations in our lives—the loss of a loved one, a serious illness, financial problems—anything that the world would see as a devastating. The Christian has to realize that he can grow from his struggles, that something positive can come from it. He may be able help those who will go through the same thing a few months later. He may have the opportunity to meet new people and get involved in service to God in a new area.
The Christian has to also realize that the growing doesn’t happen overnight, and that it takes time. I guess you could even say some of us are “late bloomers”. Just remember: whenever you are going through troublesome times, with God’s help, things will improve and you will grow from the experience. I am reminded of a book entitled “Bloom Where You’re Planted”. The important part of that statement is not the place you are planted, but the fact that you bloom.
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