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October 25, 2022

Encouraged to Flourish

October 25, 2022 by PAULA ROBERTS FLOURISH God’s guidance & direction
Encouraged to Flourish
“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, They will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, They will flourish in the courts of our God.”
Psalms 92:12-15

She wasn’t flourishing.


“I just can’t see past this darkness. I’m confused. I don’t know what God is doing,” she said. Her voice held no inflection, no rhythm. The tears she shed seemed to dampen our internet connection, while my hope for her future in cross-cultural work (and beyond), seemed diluted in the ocean that separated us. I felt like a newbie lifeguard who was sucked down by the very person she had intended to save.


My desperate prayer for both of us sounded something like the disciples’ when the storm caught them in the lake.


“Teacher,” they cried. “Don’t you care that we are about to drown?”


A word in that prayer hit me like a slap of cold lake water.


“Teacher.”


The disciples looked to Jesus like a student looked to her teacher!


In my attempts to save my friend I had forgotten Jesus was the teacher. I had to stop my frantic cries for help, humbly point both of us to Jesus, and trust that He would help us learn. Just as He had saved us for eternity, He now could teach us how to flourish in the midst of waves and water. 

Closing Prayer
Dear Father, I so often get so caught up in the wind and waves of other’s lives that I forget that you are the Mighty Teacher, not me. Help me, Lord, to turn from my own pride and learn from You. Amen.
Resources
Article: What Does it Mean to Flourish? by Sharon Betters, Susan Hunt This article focuses on God’s ways, and how opposite they are to our human view. It’s a great reminder and encouragement.
Question for Reflection

What is one foundational truth about God that has helped you flourish despite recent storms?

Comments
Paula Roberts
October 25, 2022

I wrote above about a situation I had recently with a friend. I realized in this situation that once again my pride was in the way of truly learning from God. This foundational truth of seeing God as a teacher helps me to view situations with His light. This frees me from thinking there are no answers and pushes me back into His Word.