Thrive, Not Just Survive

If I told you I knew the secret to thriving in life, would you be interested? Or are you okay with just getting by? With mediocrity? With feeling like you just can't seem to move ahead?

I doubt you're okay with any of that. Sure, on any given day, you might give in to the temptation to settle, but in the big picture, most of us are looking for more out of life. Not more as in more stuff to do, but more as in "please let this life be about more than changing diapers, wiping snotty noses, and picking up after the kids."

Psalm 1:3 contains the secret to thriving, not just surviving:

"And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers."

Last word: PROSPERS is defined as "to be successful or fortunate...; thrive; flourish." Another source adds "make steady progress."

So, how do we get to the place where we are making steady progress, where we are thriving and flourishing?

The writer of this Psalm says it's about where we're planted. He says we need to be firmly planted by streams of water. Last week Stephenie and her family were planted by the Gulf of Mexico for Spring Break. Not a bad idea for a vacation getaway, but not what this verse means!

Instead, the Psalmist is instructing us to plant ourselves firmly by streams of water. I don't know much about trees and root systems, but I do know that the roots are what keep them in the ground, particularly in windstorms and such.

I had heard that the great big Redwood trees out west didn't have much in the way of roots, but read this:

The roots of a coast redwood are very shallow, growing only four to six feet deep, but spread out from the tree as far as 125 feet. This isn’t much support for a tall, heavy tree—floodwaters can erode top layers of soil, exposing the roots and weakening a tree’s support system. Heavy rains and strong winds can bring even the biggest giant crashing to the ground. But the roots of individual redwoods frequently grow intertwined with those of their neighbors. By "holding hands" underground, the roots form a network that allows the trees to withstand even great storms.

How cool is that? It's like a huge game of Red Rover!

How is your root system? Are you "holding hands" underground with those who can strengthen you and keep you rooted? Are you planted by streams of water, so that you can get nourishment and yield fruit and not wither?

You make the choice where you're planted every day. Where will it be, and how will you respond? It's time to thrive, not just survive!