Bud Bloom & Blossom! - Amy Sapp

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”

1 Peter 3:18

I don’t know about you, but anytime I see a fresh flower poking through the dirt, I feel a little bit of hope. I might be yelling at my kids from the front porch.. but inside, I’m feeling spiritual.

We love flowers, don’t we? We wear them on dresses, drink out of mugs with them on it, some of us even have flowery Bibles or Bible covers!

They are just pretty!

Today, we’re talking about how God grows us spiritually.. from Bud to Bloom to Blossom.

But here’s the thing, growth doesn’t always feel pretty. Sometimes you’re in the dirt, sometimes you’re being pruned, and sometimes you’re blooming and didn’t even realize it.

~ BUD – The Promise is in the Process

A bud is where it all starts. It’s tight. Small. Hidden. But it’s packed with potential.

1 Peter 3:18 reminds us that Jesus “suffered for sins… that he might bring us to God.”

He didn’t just save us to sit pretty, He saved us to grow.

Think about it

You don’t get a blossom overnight.

God is not in a hurry. (We are, with our Amazon Prayers “Lord, I asked yesterday…”)

Bud seasons are often quiet. Hidden. You feel unseen, unappreciated, and maybe even stuck.

But buds aren’t dead, they’re developing.

God is doing more in the dirt than you even realize.

Maybe there are times where you feel like God has forgotten you?

-Crying in the carpool line, or trying to read your Bible in the laundry room. Or sitting in your car after a trip home, just to get some peace and quiet. If you are like me, you know that feeling.

Remember that “Bud season” is when we try to rush things.

— Like planting lettuce on Monday and getting mad by Wednesday.

Are you willing to stay planted even when you don’t see progress?

Jesus died to bring you to Salvation. That means He’s not going to abandon you in the dirt.

~ BLOOM – The Breaking Brings Beauty

Blooming is when the bud finally opens... it’s painful, vulnerable, but beautiful.

Jesus suffered once so we could be saved.

You can’t bloom unless something breaks. That tight bud has to tear open.

Sometimes it’s our pride, sometimes our plans, sometimes our expectations.

We are “quickened by the Spirit” that’s what gives us the power to bloom.

Have you ever had a season where you had to surrender.

- Maybe parenting, marriage, a hard “no” from God that turned into a better “yes.”

Blooming takes bravery. Plain and simple.

Some of us are blooming and don’t know it because we’re too busy complaining about the process.

“Lord, I said I wanted to grow spiritually... not have my life rearranged!”

Let God peel back the layers. Let Him open you up.

He’s not exposing you to hurt you.. He’s opening you to reflect His glory.

~ BLOSSOM – The Purpose is to Point to the Savior

Blossoms are made to be seen.

Not for our glory, but His. My husband and often say... My story for HIS glory!

1 Peter 3:18 ends with “quickened by the Spirit.” That’s saving power. That’s new life. That’s a blossom!

A blossom does 3 things:

It draws others in. People notice a healthy, Spirit-filled woman.

It spreads beauty. Your testimony, your joy, your forgiveness.. it spreads.

It points upward. A flower turns toward the sun, just like we turn toward the SON!

You’re not blooming just to have a cute Instagram or FB post.

You’re blooming to show that Jesus is alive IN you!

A flower doesn’t strive.. it just stays rooted and lets the sun do the work.

That’s your job.. stay rooted in Christ and let the Spirit quicken you.

Some ladies blossom like roses… others blossom like wild daisies. We are ALL unique..

Some of you are blooming sunflowers... tall, joyful, and loud. And others are little forget-me-nots… you bloom in the quiet corners.

All of us are beautiful when they’re Spirit-filled.

Whether you’re in a Bud, Bloom, or Blossom season.. Jesus is the Gardener!

You are not behind. You are not forgotten. You are not wasting time.

You are becoming.

And just like 1 Peter 3:18 says:

He “suffered for sins… that He might bring us to God.”

That’s what it’s all about. Growing closer to Him.. whether you’re under the dirt, just peeking out, or fully in bloom.

What stage are you in?

Are you rushing the process or resisting the pruning?

Will you let Him grow you?