Are you waiting for the magic key, the right set of circumstances, to be able to get to where you want to be?
Maybe like me, you’ve said things like; “When this happens, I’ll be able to do that.” Somehow you hem yourself in with all the things you think have to be in place, or moved, or even have certain things lined up ‘just so’, in order for you to be in a position to pursue what it is in your heart to.
Today I am bringing truth to something that has been holding back.
The title may have given the topic for this blog post away, but let me take a moment to look you in the eyeballs and tell you: “You have everything you need, right now, just as you are, to begin that thing.”
Notice how I didn’t say: ‘you have everything you need, right now, to be an overnight success’? You don’t have everything you’re going to need for the whole journey. But you have what you need to BEGIN.
You can probably come up with a shopping list full of reasons why NOT to begin that thing that you feel tugging your heart from the inside. But what about the reasons you SHOULD?
One big reason, or rather a reminder, is that the Lord has created you, just as you are, for a reason and a purpose.
Any dream, goal or success, needs a beginning point, and you have all you need to take the first step. What do you already have, that can you can use to make the first move, that will propel you towards growth, towards that goal, or the thing you know God is calling you to?
Having intention without action is just an idea, and if you want this thing to ever eventuate, it needs begin life outside of you. You need to take that seed, and plant it.
You are a potential-filled seed.
Have you ever held a small seed in the palm of your hand? You may have been amazed at the minuscule size of it, and struggled to believe that the tiny thing would become and large living thing.
Being in God’s beautiful creation, and in awe of all that he has made, reminds me that he is the incredible author of all life – including me. Including you.
In fact, I love nature so much, I have brought it inside my home! I have an unknown number of plants in my home (you can read that as there being too many to count!), because they bring me joy. But they have also taught me a lot about growth, perseverance, action and consequence.
A small seed has everything contained within, to become a tree. What it doesn’t have are the factors outside of itself, like soil, light, and water. For us, ‘The Planting’ is when we make that decision to begin. As soon as a seed is planted in the right conditions, the process of growth begins.
Let’s take a look at the process of growth.
Planting
A tiny seed holds great potential. Just as do you. Everything you need to begin that growth journey, is already contained within your life, including your desire to step into the unknown.
When you make the choice to begin, is like planting yourself in damp soil. This action, is what moves your life, from dormant seed to a seedling.
As you begin the growth process in this planting stage, trust the Lord with all that will happen next.
Nurture
Like seeds, you need to be nurtured and provided with the right conditions in order to grow and thrive. The amazing thing that happens when you take that first step, is that the Lord begins to work on your behalf.
Behind the scenes he is working and making things happen, preparing the way ahead. He begins to nurture you, giving you what you need for the next steps you will take.
You also need to nurture yourself. How are you taking yourself right now? Are you making good choices to ensure that you can be all you need to be?
How is your self talk at the moment? Are you speaking of yourself kindly, with grace as you step into a new season? Or are you being discouraging in your inner dialogue?
How would the Lord speak of you if you could listen in to him talking about you? He would speak with so much love and grace, because that is how he thinks and feels towards you.
In this life, (I say this to me as well as to you) we all need to be our own biggest champion, not the one own speaks the worst of ourselves.
Commitment
You can’t plant a seed, then wish it all the best and hope it makes it. A plant at whatever stage, takes care and nurturing to ensure it’s continued growth into it’s full potential.
You will need to commit yourself to taking steps daily, making decisions daily, to get you to that place you are working towards.
Commit your way to the Lord, give him your plans and invite him into them. He will help guide you every step of the way.
Environment
Just as a seed needs water, nutrients, and sunlight to grow, it needs to be in the right environment. For a plant, or more so for a seedling or young plant, it is so important to place it in the correct position. Too much light for some plants will kill them, or not enough light for others will make their leaves pale and sickly.
You need the right environment for you to be able to grow and thrive in all the ways you need to. You need the support around you, in order for you to expand into your new season
A great way for you to do this, is to build your community of people, and develop those positive relationships. You can do this by talking about your thing, the exciting path you are on. There may be people in your friendship group already, church community or even online groups that you can connect with.
People are stronger together, rather than setting off on solo missions, to struggle alone. When you do the journey with others, your needs are met and you’re encouraged along the way. Choose well those who you allow into your environment.
Challenge
It’s not always smooth sailing for a plant, they may experience challenges such as pests or damaging weather conditions. We had an infestation of fungus gnats a while ago, they aren’t dangerous for plants, just incredibly annoying. Thankfully after time and effort, they aren’t a problem anymore.
You will face pests or obstacles in your personal growth journey. They may be like the fungus gnats, lots of small annoying thoughts of self doubt. Or they can be much bigger things like failure, illness, major life events or closed doors instead of open ones.
Whatever obstacle is in your way, and as hard as they will sometimes be, these challenges will help you to become stronger and more resilient. As you learn to overcome these challenges, they will cause even more growth, teach you, and strengthen you.
Fruit
As plants mature and flourish, some will grow fruit, they can flower, or grow new leaves and branches. When you see a plant do these things, it means they are getting all they need.
It means they are being nurtured, that there is commitment to their growth, they are positioned in the correct environment, and they have overcome challenges.
As you grow and develop, you will see the ‘fruit’ or the result of the work you have put in, going from seed, to mature plant. Seeing this growth over the course of your journey will encourage and fill you with confidence to do it again. Because your life doesn’t just represent a single plant on a windowsill.
Your life is a garden
Your life is a beautiful garden that is being shaped and designed by God himself. As you allow him to lead and love you, to grow you and challenge you, he takes all those little growth journeys, those individual plants, and creates a greater masterpiece.
The amazing thing in all of this, is that when you produce fruit, flowers leaves and branches, it not only benefits you, but those around you.
When the Lord designed you, he created you to fit within that larger landscape, with your unique attributes, to compliment and work within the greater whole.
Those things that the Lord is calling you to, has a greater purpose that reaches far beyond you. The world needs you to grow those dreams, that calling and the things you long to pursue. Your life and the garden your life represents, is a part of a much larger and exquisite design.
To recap:
- You are a beautiful seed. You are full of infinite potential. Contained within you, is everything you need to begin pursuing that thing, right now.
- Planting. Once you take you make the choice to begin, you take that first step and plant yourself to begin your growth.
- Nurture. Once you make that first step and become planted, the Lord begins to nurture and aid your growth by providing what you need next in your journey.
- Commitment. Growing plants take commitment, you need to keep making the choice to care for them. Just as you need to commit to your goal, dream or that thing the Lord is calling you to.
- Environment. Where you put a plant in your home or garden, matters. Just like where you position yourself and with whom, matters. Be intentional with who you let into your community.
- Challenge. Plants will face challenges throughout their life, just as we do. When we have to overcome the obstacles, big or small, they grow us, strengthen us and teach us.
- Fruit. When a plant has everything it needs, it thrives and grows. Some grow fruit, flowers or new leaves and branches. You thrive because you have planted yourself, been nurtured, committed to your growth, in the right environment, and overcome challenges.
- Your life is a garden. That thing the Lord is calling you to, or that dream you have, is far greater than you. The Lord designed your life to be a part of a much larger plan. When you thrive and grow ‘fruit’, it not only blessed you, but countless others.
What is that first step, that you need to take towards that thing in your heart?
Don’t focus on all the reasons you can’t or shouldn’t, think about all the reasons you should.
I am so excited for your personal growth. And all the ways you will expand and take up the place the Lord had prepared for you, in the world. There is so much ahead for you, just beyond the edge of your comfort zone. I’ll meet you there, friend.
Sending you love for all the brave things you are stepping into,
Carrie xxx
If you enjoyed this blog post, or felt encouraged and inspired, you can show me by: 1. Sharing it on your socials or with a friend. 2. You can tel me by leaving a comment or popping me an email (carrie.baker.writer@outlook.com). 3. Or you can fuel my writing day and love me with coffee here!
For MORE reading:
9 Reasons Why You Are Just A Complicated Houseplant
Carrie Baker - The Growth Collective 
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