FLOURISH
Flourish as a verb - to flourish. The definition is to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment.
That is absolutely the most beautiful thing I have ever read.
The image I get is of a person whom, given the opportunity to be in a favorable environment for growth, does just that - grows deeply and develops in a healthy way - which means they Flourish!
I believe Jesus wants us to Flourish in every space He places us and brings us to on our journeys. But if we are being honest here, not every place on your journey is going to be the right temperament or temperature to be categorized as healthy. In order to flourish during those times, you must be keenly aware of your gifts - the very ones God gave you. When in the valley, be reminded of the gifts and the mountain top peaks you have experienced with the lover of your soul, and those days in the valleys can be met with life change and good fruit to bear.
God's Word. It's active and alive - sharper than any two edged sword - and it can cut through darkness and pain like a hot knife on butter...it can also wound deeply when taken out of context and used harshly. The Scriptures must be your measuring tool against all other words and flourishing in a dark space can happen when you study and proclaim His Word.
Prayer. Communication with God is vital to staying connected to the vine and allow fruit to be produced in you. Dialogue about your day - He knows, He cares. Start with simple thoughts and praise to Him. Stay in constant communication with Him and He won't seem distant and far off - He sticks closer than a brother, because you have the Holy Spirit living IN you! Speak the lavish name of Jesus and know He is listening.
Focus. In order to flourish in something, we must be focused in the right direction. When I had the chicks, although I am focused on them and listening to their words and desires of their hearts, my main focus was not providing a service to them, my focus was providing Jesus. I wanted to fix their problems at times, or help them solve problems together, but ultimately my job was to serve them Jesus. Not as an appetizer either...it needs to be full on eight course meal with all the trimmings! :) I am not trying to be insensitive by referring to Jesus as food...because let's be honest, he is soo soo sooooooo much more than that! If I am not offering them Jesus as an answer or anything biblical for that matter, then I might as well be serving him up with a side of chips and salsa, because at that point it doesn't much matter. The focus is Jesus. Our eyes are on Him and He is getting all the glory for the circumstances, the gifts, the mess, and mundane.
Lean In. Ahhh...the dreaded words that often get lumped in with "tension." If you are in a space where the temperature and temperament are not good for flourishing, you will need to lean in to that tension. Jesus is still in that space, even if you are the only one seeking Him. When you lean in, your trust is in Him, not in you, and that leaning in allows your heart to relinquish all consequences of the obedience that He has called you to. Leaning in is hard, not gonna mince those words, but it's also the only way to feel that Jesus is there and that on the other side of it comes freedom in flourishing in a healthy space.
God's Word. It's active and alive - sharper than any two edged sword - and it can cut through darkness and pain like a hot knife on butter...it can also wound deeply when taken out of context and used harshly. The Scriptures must be your measuring tool against all other words and flourishing in a dark space can happen when you study and proclaim His Word.
Prayer. Communication with God is vital to staying connected to the vine and allow fruit to be produced in you. Dialogue about your day - He knows, He cares. Start with simple thoughts and praise to Him. Stay in constant communication with Him and He won't seem distant and far off - He sticks closer than a brother, because you have the Holy Spirit living IN you! Speak the lavish name of Jesus and know He is listening.
Focus. In order to flourish in something, we must be focused in the right direction. When I had the chicks, although I am focused on them and listening to their words and desires of their hearts, my main focus was not providing a service to them, my focus was providing Jesus. I wanted to fix their problems at times, or help them solve problems together, but ultimately my job was to serve them Jesus. Not as an appetizer either...it needs to be full on eight course meal with all the trimmings! :) I am not trying to be insensitive by referring to Jesus as food...because let's be honest, he is soo soo sooooooo much more than that! If I am not offering them Jesus as an answer or anything biblical for that matter, then I might as well be serving him up with a side of chips and salsa, because at that point it doesn't much matter. The focus is Jesus. Our eyes are on Him and He is getting all the glory for the circumstances, the gifts, the mess, and mundane.
Lean In. Ahhh...the dreaded words that often get lumped in with "tension." If you are in a space where the temperature and temperament are not good for flourishing, you will need to lean in to that tension. Jesus is still in that space, even if you are the only one seeking Him. When you lean in, your trust is in Him, not in you, and that leaning in allows your heart to relinquish all consequences of the obedience that He has called you to. Leaning in is hard, not gonna mince those words, but it's also the only way to feel that Jesus is there and that on the other side of it comes freedom in flourishing in a healthy space.
REDEMPTION
Everyone has a chance for redemption when Jesus is involved. He can cleanse even the most vile of people or circumstances. When all has been stripped from you and you feel you have nothing left, that is often when God's redemptive story shines brightest.
This week I found myself smack in the middle of part of His redemption for my life. I had signed up to mentor women younger than me through a program called Flourish at our church. I was not hesitant at all--God has been preparing me for this moment for years! My heart for a mentor/mentee relationship was strong because I was mentored and poured into in my 20's and I still keep in touch with the wonderful woman whom I affectionately call my spiritual mom. I also have spent the last few years pouring into my sweet chicks...I deeply love them and miss them like crazy, but I trust God's plan is perfect for all of us, even when it feels terrible at times.
I had a questionnaire to fill out and then a short interview to go through...I had some nerves that day, but my interviewer was just the sweetest. I felt confident that God was already aligning hearts and guiding the leaders as they match women up.
As the meeting date approached I felt giddy, excited about the future of sharing Jesus over food and gatherings and coffee. Before I opened my folder I prayed:
I had a questionnaire to fill out and then a short interview to go through...I had some nerves that day, but my interviewer was just the sweetest. I felt confident that God was already aligning hearts and guiding the leaders as they match women up.
As the meeting date approached I felt giddy, excited about the future of sharing Jesus over food and gatherings and coffee. Before I opened my folder I prayed:
Lord, you give and you take away. My heart has learned to trust you in that, even when it's hard and I am sad. Thank you for the past gifts and thank you for the present ones. May our hearts collide like only you have designed.
As I peeked in my folder and saw the goodness that awaits - tons of information, a book, and material to peruse...I saw their names....I read their bios, and all the questions they answered. I began counting- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
FIVE?
FIVE, LORD?
It was my tears that started first...I could barely speak.
Thank you Lord! Thank you for the five you are entrusting me with.
And just like that.
God brought redemption. Everything that was snatched, stolen, lost...in one fail swoop He redeemed it all. The girl in front of me was my connect group leader. She knew. She knew about my chicks, she knew all we had come through. She smiled and we hugged and we said thanks and amen together.
Flourish and Redemption.
May Jesus be ever close to you regardless of where you are in the redemption story...but know this - your heart can flourish because of a Savior who loves you dear one - regardless of circumstance. Find Him in all things.
With love,
FIVE?
FIVE, LORD?
It was my tears that started first...I could barely speak.
Thank you Lord! Thank you for the five you are entrusting me with.
And just like that.
God brought redemption. Everything that was snatched, stolen, lost...in one fail swoop He redeemed it all. The girl in front of me was my connect group leader. She knew. She knew about my chicks, she knew all we had come through. She smiled and we hugged and we said thanks and amen together.
Flourish and Redemption.
May Jesus be ever close to you regardless of where you are in the redemption story...but know this - your heart can flourish because of a Savior who loves you dear one - regardless of circumstance. Find Him in all things.
With love,
No comments:
Post a Comment