Bloom Where You Are Planted

In prophecy given after the Babylonian exile, Isaiah promised that Israel's children would sprout up like trees in the grass, like poplars beside channels of water (Isaiah 44:4). Drawing on that imagery, I would suggest that God intends for all us to grow up in our walk with him. If you need a biblical proof-text, take Paul's "God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do" (Ephesians 4:15 MSSG). If you prefer a source from outside the Bible, take the quote attributed to Francis de Sales, who said, "Bloom where you are planted." Grow up in Christ. Be real. Love yourself, and sprout up like flowers in the garden.

Concrete Angel

The love interest in Gareth Emery’s song, Concrete Angel, is determined to hide herself behind a tall self-made brick wall. It seems it’s hard for her to be herself with the person she’s seeing. I get the impression she’s either been hurt badly by a former lover or for some reason has come to believe she has little to offer the world. She has fine-tuned the art of deflection and allows no one to see the essence of who she really is.

The singer, Christina Novelli, says: If you keep building these walls, brick by brick towers so tall, soon I won’t see you at all, until the concrete angel falls.

It’s sad when you feel you have to hide the real you. Oh, I know there are plenty of people who would misuse what they learn about you, but isn’t being vulnerable worth the risk of connecting with someone who really cares?

Be yourself.

Tear down the brick tower. There is someone out there who wants to know who you really are!