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“Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’” — Psalm 92:13-15
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“Bloom where you’re planted” is a phrase I have been hearing a lot lately. It’s a word of encouragement to inspire someone to make the best of their opportunities and prosper no matter the environment or circumstances.
Like many sayings, it’s Biblical. Psalm 92:13-15 (above) reminds us that when we are “planted in the house of the Lord, we will flourish in the courts of God.” In other words, the Lord calls us to have a foundation in the Gospel, so that our roots may grow in good soil and produce fruit that honors God.
For athletes, this could look like several different things. It could be proactively seeking guidance from coaches or mentors. Perhaps things aren’t going how you planned and it’s adjusting to a new team, situation or role. Maybe it’s seeking an additional way to contribute or developing your skillset.
Following Christ does not mean immediate success. But it’s important to understand that when things shift from your plan, they could still be right on track with God’s. As athletes, when you are rooted in the Gospel, your development and resiliency despite the circumstances are testimonies of Christ and your faith in His design.
A plant’s growth is determined by how strong its roots are and the nutrients in the soil. Take confidence in knowing you have the ultimate life source in Christ fueling you along the way.
Wherever you are in your athletic journey — whether that’s working to improve your skill level, time standard or team — you are exactly where the Lord intended you to be according to His perfect timing, and you should act as such. It is not what you do or where you are, but how you do it and whom you are doing it for.
In athletics, success often takes time and hard work, and can look a variety of different ways. But when you follow Jesus, you should take comfort in knowing that whatever situation you are in, if your foundation is in the Lord, you will bloom.
— Sofie Davis
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