As many of you know my husband and I currently reside in Japan. This was not our original plan to move across the world, but here we are living as first time foreigners. I was excited and a tad bit reluctant when we found out we were moving overseas. Japan has treated us very well so far. We both serve at our new church home, and we have even purchased a small Japanese styled car. Something I have been taking notice of since arriving are the different seasons. A very popular season that is about to start here in Japan is Cherry Blossom season. Now the cherry blossoms are considered to be Japan’s national flower and they have an entire festival that spreads across many cities to celebrate the blossoming of this flower. The season typical begins at the end of March and carries on until the beginning of May. These trees that carry the cherry blossom flower are all over the country.
The people of Japan never worry that the the flowers
on the tree won’t bloom as long as the tree is planted in a position to where
it can receive nutrition its going to bloom in its appointed season. That
reminds me of me a lot of my journey as a Christian. I have asked myself these
questions and now I am asking you. Are you in a position to bloom? Have you
planted yourself near people who will encourage your relationship with Christ
or be detrimental to it? Are you roots
planted in the word of God or have you gotten away from it? There are so many
people including myself whom have planted themselves in toxic relationship and
season after season they are in the same position and no growth is taking
place. Sometimes we have to be uprooted and replanted in new soil in a new
environment where we can blossom. Sometimes the nutrition we were receiving
from a certain area has run dry and its just not where God desires for us to be
anymore. No matter what the case is when God calls you I encourage you to
answer. I have come to realize how important it is to stay connected no matter
where in the world we are the Lord will bless us blossom in our due season. I
know the same God my husband and I worshipped in America is the same God that
reigns in Japan. Keeping pushing forward in the faith y’all.
Some verses of encouragement that came to mind are;
Jeremiah 17:7-8; “But blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence
is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out
its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always
green. It has no worries in a year of drought and
never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 29:11; “For I know the plans I have for you
declares the Lord, plan to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future.” I also recalled
Deuteronomy 31:6; “Be strong and courageous. Do not
be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he
will never leave you nor forsake you.”
