Words from Bede Circuit
Dear Friends
In January each year I “fix” dates in my diary for annual leave, looking ahead so that time off does not get lost in the planning of everything else. This year, I made plans to visit my grandson and his parents in London on three occasions. I had planned to have a holiday in August to Austria and the Passion Play in Oberammergau but, like everyone, all my plans came unstuck! Last week I still took annual leave but stayed at home instead, using some of that time tidying up the garden and planting spring bulbs. I enjoyed some walks and visited my Dad (who is my “bubble”) and tidied his garden too. Things may not have worked out as I had planned but, as I planted all those spring bulbs, I was effectively making plans and hoping for a colourful spring garden and because nature will do her best, I am confident those plans will be rewarded! It reminded me of the phrase, “Bloom where you are planted”. Some people assume this phrase originated from the Bible, and although the sentiment can be found in Scripture, the exact words are not. So, where did it come from? What does “Bloom where you are planted” mean? The phrase can mean various things depending on its usage. “To be fruitful, blossom, become all you were created to be. Make the best of what you have when life throws lemons at you. Do what is right, even when it is hard”.
It has been all our experience that our plans have not worked out this year and 2020 will certainly be a year to remember! Our circumstances remind us that sometimes life is hard, and things do not always go according to plan, but we do still have control over how we respond. “Blooming where we are planted” is to make the choice to respond in a positive manner. There was a time in the Bible when many Israelites were exiled to Babylon; they were in a less than wonderful situation, but God told them, in a way, to “bloom where they were planted” for that time and to get on with living their lives: “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’” (Jeremiah 29:4-7).
In other words, even in exile, God encouraged His people to continue to live their lives. That time would eventually pass, and they would be restored to their homeland. For us, this time will also pass! Jeremiah goes on to say in verse 11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. That word of Scripture – God’s promise – has featured much in my faith story and knowing that God’s plans will work out can be a real source of comfort and encouragement. I am not saying that coronavirus is part of God’s plan BUT His word is secure. God is with us and He will bring us to a new future! In the meantime, we are to “bloom where we have been planted”, knowing that God is with us, enabling us to make plans for our future. Those bulbs I planted are now underground, out of sight, doing their thing and, come springtime, they will burst into new life. As the days shorten take heart that God is with us, try to bloom where you have been planted knowing that God has “plans to give you hope and a future”.
Some churches have begun the process of reopening, but things will continue on Zoom:
Sunday services at 10.30am, Bible studies on Holy Habits series on Mondays 7.00pm and Thursday 10.30am; Wednesday prayers at 10.00am. There is also the Sunday service sheet and services on Why Pay telephone conferencing.
Please contact the Senior Church Steward (Brenda Wallace) for more details: wesleymemchurch.pr@gmail.com
Plans for Remembrance this year are different too but the Zoom service on Remembrance Sunday 8th November will include an Act of Remembrance and Wednesday prayers on 11th November will also include remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our peace and prosperity.
Please stay safe and well and watch over each other in Christian love.
With good wishes and prayers on behalf of the Bede Circuit staff team.
Revd Deborah Wainwright