What is a Flourishing Life?
Lately I’ve been pondering this question: What does a flourishing life look like?
Many people may think of being financially independent (or at least stable). For some it’s the idea of achieving the so-called American Dream with the white picket fence and the perfect home. Still others may think of being physically fit and healthy or just having an all-around sense of well-being. Interestingly, when I did a quick Google search, some of the common themes that came up included “living the good life”, “finding fulfillment in life”, and “achieving a lot”.
Miriam Webster defines it this way: “Marked by vigorous and healthy growth. Very active and successful”. Being a plant lover, the idea of vigorous and healthy growth resonates with me. Seeing one of my plants in that state gives me such joy as a plant mama! A plant that is happy and thriving is usually one that is in it’s ideal growing conditions, is receiving consistent nutrients and has a healthy and growing root system. Additionally, most plants that are thriving are producing fruit in some way, whether through blooming, dropping seeds, sending out runners, or multiplying. Conversely, a plant that is not flourishing is in survival mode. All of its energy is simply devoted to staying alive. It has nothing left to give toward producing anything else beautiful and life-giving to the world.
I find it interesting that the Bible often uses a thriving tree as a metaphor to illustrate what a flourishing person looks like. One of my favorite passages about this is found in Psalm chapter 1. While not an exhaustive picture, it gives us some good ideas:
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his 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.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (emphasis mine)
Just like a healthy and thriving tree, we see here that the flourishing believer in Christ is:
1. Planted in the right place – “He is like a tree planted by streams of water…”
This believer has positioned himself by choice in a place of abundance along the proverbial river bank where there is a constant flow of life-giving water. There are no drought conditions in sight and he is never thirsty!
2. Constantly receiving nutrients from a healthy root system – “…his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
This part of the verse gives us more information about that riverbank! The Psalmist tells us that the man/woman is being fed and watered as he/she is delighting in God’s commands and God’s Word. This is a constant process of receiving nutrients.
3. Producing fruit – “…which yields its fruit in season…”
As this believer is being constantly nourished by God’s Word, the result is that beautiful and nourishing fruit is produced which is a blessing to others. They are ‘rich in good works’ (1 Tim 6:18). As the seeds of their life drop into fertile soil in the lives of those around them, gospel seedlings may be sprouting!
4. Resilient – “…whose leaf does not wither.”
The man being described here has been through some very challenging circumstances that would make others wither up or give up. Despite this He is remaining resilient as he stays rooted by that stream. He has an inner strength about him as he is continuously nourished regardless of what’s going on around him.
If you are like most humans, you probably have experienced both: times of thriving and abundance and seasons where you have felt parched, exhausted, and ready for the compost heap. It seems to me that we may be at different places on that spectrum throughout our lifetime.
That’s life in a fallen world.
Sometimes there are things outside of our control that make life just plain hard. Mental illness, for example, can make it difficult to have healthy thought patterns or steady moods. Our hormones constantly rise and fall and can have an effect on our emotional and physical health. Traumatic events, both “large” and “small” can feel overwhelming and burdensome.
It is encouraging to note, however, that we aren’t helpless or hopeless in our journey through those ups and downs. Remaining by that ‘stream of water’ is a choice that we get to make. And we have a Saviour who meets us right where we are and helps us to grow stronger and stronger if we allow Him. We get to develop as people and as believers when we trust him that one more time. I believe that when we take that next step of obedience into whatever he is calling us to or through, we develop the roots that we need to become the flourishing tree he has called us to be. He will make our life a testimony of his love and will produce fruit in and through us.
So…
What is the condition of your life today? If you were a plant, what would you look like?
If you’re not flourishing, what is keeping you from doing so? No matter where you find yourself, you have a gift.
A gift of choosing your next step.
Maybe you are feeling parched because you need to develop a more regular intake of His Word. Maybe you need to seek out spiritual friends that will champion you along that journey? Perhaps you are happy in your own life but you need help identifying what it is that you have to offer those around you. Conversely, maybe God has placed a dream in your heart but you need support to move past your fear? I’ve been there!
If you are struggling with mental illness that keeps you so overwhelmed that you are in survival mode, maybe it’s time to seek out a trusted counselor or mental health professional or talk with your doctor about trying some medication. What bold and courageous choices those are!
You were made to flourish! Don’t miss out!
Do you need some support identifying that next step? Coaching may be a perfect opportunity for you!
The FREE Wheel of Life tool in my online store is a great resource to get started!
