Green and Leafy

My word for this year is thrive, but I have to admit, that my life feels more like "hanging on for dear life" lately. I've thought that thriving should be more like abundance and joy and productivity.

Yet, I think that's the point of thriving. It is being able to know where the source of life is even when in a season of hardship or drought. This verse in Jeremiah says that the man (or woman) who trusts in the Lord will not fear. Their roots go deep and know where nourishment can be found. Because they keep going back to the source of life, no matter what they are facing, they will thrive and bear fruit. 

It is convicting for me because so many times while I do go to my source, I lack trust and give way to fear. I start to focus on what is not going well or I get consumed with anxiety over a problem or concern and feel like I need to take control and sort it out myself.

Thriving means being still, drinking from the source of life and allowing Him to work in the situation. Thriving is not being paralyzed with fear and anxiety, but continuing to do what God has called me to do and produce fruit. And thriving means going to the source and not trying to produce the fruit in my own strength.

I'm thankful for these ways that God is working and showing me what it means to thrive. Because I follow Him I can continue to thrive and bear fruit even in an uncertain world. I can thrive when I feel discouragement. I can thrive when life is hard. I can thrive when I hit a wall in ministry. I can thrive when I feel like I've failed. And I can thrive in the bad times, as well as the good time.

My life can be green and leafy even when there is a drought going on around me.