Human Flourishing

SCRIPTURE: But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!” Psalm 92:12-15 NLT

THOUGHT: I’m getting older – had another birthday this week. I swear before it rolls around now, I can actually feel it. Wouldn’t need a calendar. It’s like the grandfather clock winding down, little by little – you hardly notice until you see the time is off by a few minutes, then a few more. So, of course I love this promise. A promise of flourishing, of remaining vital and green, and speaking truth with ever more ease and clarity. The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him! Look, my life is proof!

We might have been planted in the soil of this world, and we might have grown up despite the weeds that tried to overrun the garden, but at some point, we were transplanted to the Lord’s own house where we could not just grow strong, we could flourish. I love that word. The gardens that surround God’s courts are verdant, well-watered, pruned and tended by the master gardener. Year after blessed year, fruitfulness is the legacy of the transplants here. So, enjoy the view. And every now and again, turn your eyes up away from the beautiful gardens to the distant and eternal horizon. Pinch yourself – this is where you live and flourish. Forever.

PRAYER: So grateful that you’ve transplanted me, God. So grateful that you’ve spoken words of fruitfulness and flourishing over my life, and the lives of everyone who loves you. You prune, you tend, and sometimes it hurts. But we love living in your courtyard, and knowing it’s forever.