Are you Flourishing?
The righteous will flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap. Psalm 92:12-14
God has planted within each of us a desire to flourish. We desire to live with joy and meaning. But I hear many in the third third of life doubt their ability to flourish. Many are living without joy. They are convinced that the best years are well past and now they just survive until they die. But I believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that we can flourish in this stage of life. God makes it so.
Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, director of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University says that flourishing includes:
1. Happiness and Life Satisfaction
2. Mental and Physical Health
3. Meaning and Purpose
4. Character and Virtue
5. Close Social Relationships
6. Financial and Material Stability
The Latin word for flourish means “to flower, bloom.” Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines “flourish” as “to grow luxuriantly, thrive, achieve success, prosper.”
But what does the Bible say? Is it possible to flourish in the third third of life? Do we define flourishing in the same way in Scripture? Can we flourish if we have declining physical and/or mental health? Mark Zuckerberg said, “Young people are just smarter.” Seems to me there is a bit of arrogance and even ignorance in this statement. One day when he has matured in life, I wonder if he will still think this to be true. Sadly, many older adults have bought into this lie.
The scriptures offer promises of flourishing throughout all seasons of life.
Why did Jesus come? John 10:10 (CSB) - 10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
John 15:5, 8 (CSB) - 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me… 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.
Sounds like flourishing to me. The above passage from Psalm 92 connects this to us no matter our age. And never forget that flourishing is closely tied to righteousness. Philippians 1:9–11 (CSB) - 9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.
Through Jesus Christ we can live fully and fruitfully, abundantly and productively. In the end, our lives will have produced not just a small bowl of fruit, but a life “filled with the fruit of righteousness.”
“You can flourish in the third third of life, that is, you can live fully as you experience abundant life and fruitfully as you make a difference in the world.” – Mark Roberts
These thoughts are taken from Flourishing in the Third Third of Life Course by Mark D Roberts at Fuller University’s DePree Center.
Think about it. Are you Flourishing?
Gary
Here are some self-evaluation questions.
1. In what ways are you flourishing right now?
2. What areas of your life are not currently flourishing?
3. Finish the following statement; “In the future, I would really like to flourish by …”
4. Are there any heroes in your life who are/have flourished in the third third of life? Why do you think of them as flourishing?