FLOURISH

I’m on a mission. And often, it can seem as if that mission isn’t moving forward. Last year, I shared that God gifted me with the words and accompanying instruction- “keep moving forward.” 2019 was a year of discovery and trials. I learned about myself in a way I never knew was possible and experienced a series of my lowest lows- depression, personal health issues, struggling with my faith and learning to trust God once again. I questioned him and his way continually- not something I am proud of- but I doubted and struggled to trust, following a series of unprecedented trials. That is- I struggled to trust him until I didn’t have a choice. My options were 1) freak out and burden myself with anxiety or 2) Let go and surrender all I have- in trust. I chose the latter. Choosing to fully trust God again brought me on a beautiful journey of rediscovery into who God is and the grander plan he has in store.

This rediscovery also allowed God to introduce a new word to me- “flourish” To flourish means to grow or develop in a vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment. In scripture, Psalm 52:8 depicts flourish in this way, “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in the unfailing love forever and ever.” And in the passion translation, “But I am like a flourishing olive tree anointed in the house of God. I trust in the unending love of God; his passion towards me is forever and ever.” With this one word, God promised me a favorable environment in which I will grow and thrive

But I will be extremely raw and admit- lately my spiritual life has felt stale and crusty- anything but flourishing- healthy and vibrant. My current spiritual state is akin to a wrinkled abscess, not a blooming rose.

I have been in need of a reset- a renewing.

One lesson God has been teaching me over the last three years is the undervalued discipline- remembrance. To remember is to refocus. Remembering anchors one’s heart and mind to God. To remember is to reflect and consider what God has done in the past and also what he has promised to do in the future. Therefore, I need to anchor my soul to the promises God has spoken over my life again and again. Affirmations of his goodness and love.

These promises remind me of his grander vision and my mission to fulfill my personal calling.

Words I received from him in the past were “stay the path,” “patient endurance,” “keep moving forward,” and the new “flourish.”

He has set me off on this path for a greater purpose- one that aligns with his promises. So I will hold steady to these promises, not knowing the future, yet familiarly acquainted with the past.

I will anchor my heart, soul, mind, and strength to his grander vision, knowing fully that in this crusty and stale season, God has called me to FLOURISH.