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By Jo Gamm Witt
It seems logical to me that the priority of our prayers should be to first uplift to God our own petitions, next our concerns for our own immediate family, then our extended family, after that concerns for our community, our state, our country, and lastly the world. And let’s face it, the reality especially in today’s society is that there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish all that we would ideally like to. So, shouldn’t we at least make sure we take time to pray for those nearest and dearest to us as a higher priority than praying for people we don’t know in remote places? To bloom where we are planted?
A similar concept is in regards to witnessing/spreading the Word/evangelizing/being missionaries: is it that it is easier to fly to some remote country and witness there, rather than witnessing to our own family, our neighbor, or in our own community? Why is that? Shouldn’t we care most about those nearest and dearest to us, to try to help them to find the Light in the “dark.” To bloom where we are planted?
And then there’s the matter of whom we give contributions to—is it easier to send a check to World Vision or some other organization primarily servicing people far away, than it is to help a family member or our neighbor next door when they are financially struggling? Why is that? Shouldn’t we care most about those nearest and dearest to us, to make sure they have what they need, if we have more than enough and they are financially struggling? To bloom where we are planted?
I invite you to ponder with me this concept of blooming where you are planted, to search your heart to discover where God is leading you. You don’t need to look far to find people who are hurting or struggling emotionally, physically, spiritually, or financially. Who in your own family could you help? Whom in your own neighborhood? your community? You won’t need to look far. Let’s first bloom where we are planted.
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