Bloom.

This powerful quote first found me during a season of intense group therapy, as I worked to heal from childhood trauma. At a crossroads, I could either drop out to avoid the painful work or persevere toward the freedom I knew was possible.

I chose to blossom.

Now, I feel that familiar pull again. It is more painful to stay quiet than it is to speak up. Though the world can feel out of control, I must remember that not everyone has experienced the hope I have found through a personal relationship with Jesus. 

I think of Saul, who, before he was set apart by God, believed he was honoring Him by persecuting Christians. Today, many people hold similar convictions—not out of malice, but because they simply cannot see the Truth.

In Acts 9, we read that it wasn't until the scales fell from Saul's eyes that he was able to see—not just physically, but for the first time, through the eyes of the Spirit of God.

So yesterday I was thinking about these scales that blinded Saul, that kept Judas in darkness and continue to deceive many.  

I want to share some insights, or let me just say some reminders, as to why some continue to walk in deception and darkness. 

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:4: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This verse suggests that a spiritual blindness, caused by the enemy, prevents people from seeing the Truth of the gospel. 

And in John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This is another reminder that Jesus is the only path to God, and without Him, people simply cannot see the way.

Makes me wonder if I didn't give my life to Jesus as a 17-year-old,
what side would I be on today. 

Another barrier to seeing the Truth is the reliance on worldly wisdom that continues to keep people in darkness. In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul writes, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 

This truth continues in 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 stating, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” 

What the world considers wise is seen as foolish by God. Worldly wisdom rather than God’s wisdom is a major scale.

There are a lot of false teachings and this is why it is crucial to not only know the word but the God of the word. 

When you do this you live for God and not for yourself. The Bible is clear about what it looks like in living for oneself and living for Christ. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 provides a detailed description: "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power."

These verses scream narcissism, which has become a form of idolatry in our culture. It is a false god, much like the one that blinded Judas into betraying the Son of God .

Think about someone in your life who is blinded by these heavy scales. It’s not our job to determine if they are a Saul or a Judas, so instead of passing judgment, let's pray for them. Ask the Holy Spirit to soften their heart or to shake up their life, just as He did for Saul. And then be prepared to be an Ananias in their life.

So, what will you choose today? The risk towards blossoming or the pain that comes with remaining where you are?