Monday, August 29, 2016

Flourishing



During my morning quiet time recently, I came across a slip of paper that I'd written some notes on. I've been spending a lot of time and energy lately thinking through and practicing how to remain diligent in my roles so that I don't get to an overwhelmed stage as has been my habit in the past.

When I come across a word or verse that speaks to this, I'm camping out on it and spending some time processing it mostly to steep my heart in truth for when I need it in the moments of struggle.

This was just such a word and verse for me.

Psalm 52:8, "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever."

Flourish.


Yes, that is what I want to do in God's house and also in the house God has provided for me here on earth. The roles He has given to me for this time right now. I want to flourish.

Here is the definition of flourish from Merriam Webster's Dictionary:

- to grow well: to be healthy
- to be very successful: to do very well
- to hold up and show {something} in an excited or proud way

To thrive. To prosper. To grow well. To be healthy.

What comes to mind when you consider a flourishing tree?
- it is alive and thriving
- it is growing and green
- it bears fruit and is life-giving
- it is a provider of shade, a respite from the heat, a conductor of breeze that cools
- it is sturdy
- it is well connected to water and light sources
- it is healthy looking and beautiful, a delight to the senses
- it is deeply and firmly rooted

How can I be like a flourishing tree in the home God has placed me in this very day?
- be at peace
- focus on truth
- be spending time in the Word, nurturing the health of my roots in Him
- trust in God's unfailing love
- spend my time with other flourishing trees and in cultivating little seedlings
- strengthened with faith
- overflowing with thankfulness

Colossians 2:6-7, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

A prayer for the heart that desires to flourish:

Ephesians 3:14-21,
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." 

3 comments:

Stacy said...

Yes! This reminds me of one of my favorite passages from Psalm 1:

Blessed is the man...
[whose] delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates, day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

(Psalm 1: 1a, 2-3)

Blessings to you!
~Stacy

Mom said...

I join you in praying that you and your family will flourish in this new school year!

Tina Leigh said...

I'm struggling in this area so much. Trying to juggle this boys therapy schedules, doctors appointments, and school. Trying to figure out our best groove with me remaining focused on The Ultimate in my life, Him. This is very encouraging.