Hey people! How are you doing? (in my sing along voice).
I am doing very well, thank you. Meanwhile, it has been a while since I got comments on the blog posts oh, what is going on? Please write back, leave me comments, send messages, direct messages on Instagram, etc. I love reading from you. Like joke, like joke January 31 is upon us! How was January for you? What were your highlights, learnings, realizations, revelations, etc.? You see, I spent most of the month incubating in God’s presence. I described it this way while speaking to a friend and I realize now that there is no better way to describe the last couple of weeks. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to do this. It’s been such a rich and rewarding experience that is surely my new lifestyle.
In December, I was speaking with a mentor who told me she was rewriting her goals as God asked her to set “big hairy audacious goals” for the year. Now, that sent me on my way to review my own thought process as I planned for the year. This year, my goal is to hit and hopefully exceed 5000 views on this blog. I know it’s a little over double of what we achieved last year but I know it is possible. My goal isn’t motivated by fame or anything of the sort, but because in the words of Marshawn Evans; “God’s intention is for me (my family, my finances, my business, my platforms, products, etc.) to be a living manifestation of His unlimited abilities and promises”. This blog is to make Jesus famous and that we must do. So, where do you come in? You are part of this work – so let’s all go to town. Share the link with friends and family, share on your platforms, forward to people, and let us make Jesus famous. You can be sure I’ll be doing my bit to steward this assignment with as much intentionality and purpose as the Master directs. Thank you for being part of my pack. Wink!
As January ends, we welcome February in the name of the Lord, and we decree that the month brings to us an abundance of God’s goodness and mercies in Jesus name. Amen!
Alright, let’s get right into it! Last Saturday, I spent a few hours in fellowship with my crew at Abby’s Place (an interdenominational ladies fellowship I’m blessed to be a part of). Special shoutout to the ladies!!! LOL! Okay, so back to my gist. One of the ladies @tosinyemisanni shared a word about being planted and today, I’ll be sharing some of my thoughts, learnings and realizations following that conversation.
The Dictionary defines the word, “plant” in the following ways:
- put (a seed, bulb, or plant) in the ground so that it can grow
- set or place in a particular position.
I like these two definitions because they speak very clearly to certain facts.
First, the fact that there needs to be “a seed, bulb, or plant” that would be put in the ground. This directly means that to be planted, you must either be a seed, seedling, bulb, or plant – tender, dependent, humble, and trusting the vinedresser (Jesus) to plant you in the right location and soil to spur your growth. In simple terms, you must be “plant-able”.
Second, “you need to be put in the ground”. Much unlike plants, we have a will and make decisions on everything including our placement and location; so, planting for us requires a submission to be “put”. It means willingly giving up your “will”, yielding to His and allowing Him to put you in the ground. This would evidently demand a dying to self and an absolute yielding to God. In simple terms, you must be “put-able”.
Third, the definition tells us that “the essence of planting is growth”. Without being planted, it is impossible to grow because the plant, seed, or bulb will only naturally take nutrients from the soil within which it exists. My question to you is, “are you desirous of growth?” If your answer is yes, then allow Him to plant you. Don’t try to plant yourself in the wrong soil, Jesus is the best soil!
Lastly, “planting is also location specific”. It demands being set in a particular position. The truth is that every plant needs water, sunlight, and the right conditions to survive and thrive. I find it interesting that plants are adapted and characterized to grow and flourish in their natural habitats (e.g., deserts, the tropics and temperate climate) irrespective of how “difficult” those environments maybe. And yes, there are plants that have flourished outside their host habitats, but these plants would always demand more to thrive nearly as well as the natural inhabitants; in fact, some never do, they wilt away after some time. Now, would you rather locate yourself outside your natural habitat where you must work harder, be carefully cared for, and most likely not find full expression for all you are; or would you rather naturally flourish beautifully in your home environment? I would rather flourish beautifully with all my leaves and petals glistening in my natural habitat.
Friend, your natural habitat is His presence. It is there that He makes known to you the path for your life, there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). Stay planted there; and He will cause you to reproduce in other fields, platforms, and spheres as the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 3:2-3. Let’s settle this; once and for all – God’s desire is for you to flourish. We know that in Psalm 92:12-15. I mean, we confess it, declare it, pray it, preach it but the precondition for flourishing is “to be planted”.
I’ll write a sequel to this to share my discoveries on the kind of flourishing God desires for us. He has legacy and eternity in mind. God is amazing! He is so strategic and visionary. I love it!
Stay planted family. There is no better place to be!
As always,
