“May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 115:14,15).

What does it look like to flourish? A flourishing lemon tree has glossy green leaves and is covered with yellowing lemons at the appropriate time of year. A flourishing burr oak can grow to 100 or even 150 feet. In the fall the surrounding ground is littered with large acorns. Flourishing brilliant green moss doesn’t grow much above the soil surface but makes a cool carpet beneath our feet.

Depending on the plant, signs of flourishing can look very different. Human flourishing is also very specific to each of us.

We have a lifetime to flourish by making use of the gifts God has planted in us. What is life-giving for you? What are you capable of that is life-giving for others? 

We flourish as we listen to the Holy Spirit and work with the Spirit to cultivate our gifts. Sometimes we presume to know how God is working in someone else’s life. Flourishing doesn’t necessarily produce the fruits of earthly success: money, power, or prestige. How often have I tried to force someone else’s flourishing to resemble my own ideas of what it means to succeed? Flourishing is about connection to God and community, blessing both God and others.

Consider asking the Holy Spirit to help you understand flourishing as God sees it. Would your daily walk look different if you followed God’s definition?