Does blooming where we are planted mean we need to redesign ourselves to match our environment?

This week I am staying with one of my daughters. She lives in an apartment complex in a large city. There are lots of beautiful and fun things to see, do and eat, but Wisconsin Northwoods it is not.

It is also really hot this week. I went for a walk at 7:30 this morning and it was already above 80*...just another reminder that I'm not in Wisconsin anymore!!

Anyways...Yesterday I was sitting and looking out the window and I noticed a tree. The tree is set between a basketball court and one of the apartment buildings. It appears to be thriving and growing!

I started thinking about the times in life that we are planted in places and situations outside of our comfort zones. I mean, this tree, though thriving, definitely doesn't look like it belongs here. And it doesn't look comfortable. Yet, here it is...providing cover for the birds to nest in, obstacles for the squirrels to play on, and shade where basketball players can find relief.

The tree isn't trying to blend in. It isn't trying to look like an apartment building. It isn't conforming to the world around it.

It is just being a tree and doing tree things.

It makes me think of another saying based on John 17...We, as followers of Jesus, are in this world, but not of it.

This tree is "in" the apartment world, but it is not "of" it.

The word "of" usually denotes a relationship of belonging. The tree does not belong to the apartment complex, though it is definitely a part of it.

The tree belongs to the Creator. And its purpose, as determined by the Creator, is to bloom, and shade, and nourish, and provide refuge.

It is able to do what it was created to do, even in a situation that isn't natural.

I want my life to be like that.

Regardless of where I am, or what my circumstances are...I want to be able to grow, be a part of, and see the beauty in my situation and my surroundings. But, I want to always remember that I don't belong to that.

I belong to Him.

And because of that, I was created to love, comfort, bring peace and joy to, and share His beauty with those around me...regardless of where I am or what is going on.

So my prayer today is....God help me to never try to become an apartment building when I was created to be a tree. Help me to be a part of and pour your gifts into each situation as whom I was created to be...Your hands and feet in this world.