In Bloom By Justin March
“A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms.”
Zen Shin
When I ran across this quote the other day, I really started to think about how I view myself and the world around me. Am I constantly comparing my life to another? Am I competing with my neighbors, friends, or coworkers? And do I let the person God created become overshadowed by societal pressures and perceptions?
Unfortunately, I can answer yes to all three questions. This journey I am traveling is filled with bright, shiny treasures, and I often forget that the luxurious feeling I get from those finds are short-lived and soon forgotten. And when I really take the time to think about the life I am living, it does feel like I am in a constant race with those around me. So, what can I do to reverse this unhealthy competition?
Maybe it is time to think about why God created me in his own image. He did not ask me to compare myself to others or yearn for the possessions they embrace. He did not instruct me to worry about my looks or feel slighted by my body. And he definitely did not teach me to close others out and exclude them from my life just because we do not share the same beliefs. In fact, he did just the opposite.
God is calling us to be the people he created. He is asking us to be blind to color, immune to criticism, and bold in faith. And he wants us to set out on our journeys equipped with his love so that it can be shared with everyone we encounter. I believe if we can do this, the comparison, the competitiveness, and the envy naturally deteriorate from our lives.
Doesn’t this sound like a better plan? Wouldn’t this lifestyle breed inclusiveness, strength, and confidence?
After reading this quote multiple times, I am feeling better about the person God has created. I am coming to understand that all the flowers around me can be beautiful, not just one. And when I take a few moments to walk with my Savior in his incredible garden, I become open to what he wants to show me. It is an amazing place with no room for competition or comparison.
As you begin your week, I hope you just bloom. God created us all as individuals with different plans and different paths. And if you ever are feeling inferior, excluded, or less worthy, remember that you are a child of God, and he loves you more than could ever be comprehended. It is a love that allows your light to shine upon the world, gives you the strength to stand tall, and shields you from the hatred and ugliness this world wants to push.
So, forget about the failures and disappointments, focus on the wins and possibilities, and allow the Holy Spirit to fill your soul with the promises and love that will make you bloom!
