Orchids in this part of Asia are incredibly beautiful.

My husband works at an international school. A few years ago, his supervisor put a small orchid in his classroom to welcome him to the team.

It grew well most of the year on a bookshelf— even without much sunlight or regular watering. However, the orchid soon began to show signs it was not thriving well in that environment.

My husband brought it home one day after work. I asked the local flower nursery owner what the plant needed to flourish.

The orchid needed a specific amount of sunlight, water, and a certain soil type. I did the best I could to make sure these needs were met. In a few months, a plant that was struggling to survive was laden with twenty-one lovely purple and white blossoms. 

This orchid analogy does not fit perfectly into human life; though I hope some of the take aways are obvious. No matter where in the world I choose to live, work, and follow Christ, it is a good decision to take care of myself. I can enjoy the life the Creator has given me and serve others well when I am flourishing.

Flourishing does not mean my life is problem-free. Flourishing does not mean I spend hundreds of dollars on new clothes every month (though I’m not knocking clothes shopping). Flourishing is growing well and being healthy. It is good to know what I need to be healthy and pursue it. It is okay to make sure my family can grow well and be healthy. Would I tell other people to try and suffer as much as possible; that rest and self-care are the opposites of true spirituality? Of course not.

So today I will do my work as a personal trainer. I will do my work as a writer. I will help my family with their needs. I will serve people God has placed in my life. I will also ride my bike while listening to music I enjoy, because that is what I need at this point in my life to grow well and be healthy. I pray for you to put some things on your calendar specifically tailored to your type of flourishing.