Preparing to Bloom

Spring always feels like something is soon to emerge inside of me. Just as a plant rests and heals in winter dormancy, it awakens with a fresh new expression. This yearning isn’t fully clear to my conscious mind, but my heart knows I will bloom when the time is right. He did say He makes all things beautiful at the right time.

Even though a hope inside me is rising, I’m aware of the prowling enemy who threatens to sabotage this identity. Memories of being trampled upon by those who couldn't foresee the life and color that could be added to their world. Feelings of insignificance from the fruit that seemed wasted and caused decay to my branches. Those reminders tempt me to hide in my fear, regret and hopelessness. But in the lonely and cold secret place, I must choose to expose my soul to my Vine-dresser, lest I wither up and die. 

As I look back to earlier seasons, He was pruning that which wasn't producing fruit. There were branches I thought were fine, but He saw that more fruit would yield in maturity if they were cut off. John 15:2. Though it was painful to accept the truth, He brought life back to weak parts that were dying. Even though the cuts were painful, His love was like a grace filled salve. His healing balm spread to the starving roots that tried to grow in toxic soil.

When the storms raged and the earth shook, I was able to see what was beneath the surface choking the life out of my roots. Satan had strategically planted weeds around my immature roots. They were lies acting as a false support, draining life from me! Then appeared a life giving root, inviting me to be grafted into. As I did, the weeds suddenly crumbled, turning to ashes that began to feed the soil. Cleansing and refreshment poured through my veins when I did. Peace and joy consumed me. Every burden I’d carried, every prayer prayed was safely in His care. 

The elements can’t stop that which is connected to His vine. When you are rooted and grounded in mature love, you are drawing from the vine that conquered death, hell and the grave; “on earth as it is in heaven.” As you abide in the vine of Christ, He will reveal the blooms in this resurrection season. As you break through the darkness, they will see that we are the work of our Vinedressers hands.

He will restore to me the years that the locust have eaten. Joel 2:25

Think about the season you have been in and the coming season of resurrection life. Has the soil become toxic, malnourished or stony? Has your environment infected the air you take in? Do you need to check your roots to see if weeds are choking the life from your true essence? Are you taking feedback from people who love and care about you? Have you blamed the wrong sources as your branches are pruned? Have you neglected to feed on life-giving scriptures of promise and destiny?

Ask the One who designed you to give you eyes of understanding. Ask Him what branches are becoming lifeless and what roots (believed lies) are causing you toxicity. Lean into the pain and fear, instead of masking it because it turns to dis-ease eventually. Seek help, reach out, (here’s my hand btw). Think of the future legacy and those who will benefit from you being all you were designed to be.

 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:5-6.

© Christine Wilson Preparing to Bloom March 2021