Thrive, not just survive!

 

It's SPRINGTIME ..... or is it? 

Today on the 4th of March we are going to experience our first 70(F)+ degree day of the year. Yesterday was close. It felt so good! Today will be glorious! On days like today, I feel like I made it...... I survived another midwestern winter! But, as is typical here in the midwest, Spring can be a fleeting moment of joy. We can go from beautiful, sunny spring like weather in one moment and a snow storm the next! We have a long way to go to get to summer time. I am a huge fan of climates where the temperatures are mild and even hot. Give me a 95+ degree day anytime over a 0 degree day! 

Today I am beginning a brief study tour of the Psalms. I won't get through all of them in the next month, but will spend some time studying and reflecting on a few of them. Today, I read Psalm 1:

"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the river bank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. But, not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction." (Psalm 1)

You can always spot a river or stream because the vegetation that surrounds it is so healthy. In order to have life, trees and plants must have water. That is why Springtime is filled with so much new growth. We have an abundance of rain each March and April. The rain gives life! To have life abundantly, to thrive, not just survive, it is best that the supply of water is steady and nearby.

As I was reading about trees planted on the river bank, I was thinking about Olive trees. Why? Good question. Probably because although Olive trees need water to grow, like all plants, they are really hardy and thrive in very dry and hot conditions. As I was thinking about Olive trees, the Lord placed the thought in my mind the Mount of Olives just outside Jerusalem in Israel. The picture above was taken when I visited an Olive grove on the Mount of Olives. Olive Trees can live for thousands of years. These weathered trees could have been present when Jesus walked this earth. At the very least, the seeds that sprouted these trees probably came from trees that were there when Jesus entered to pray before his death and resurrection. 

Even though Olive trees can survive some pretty harsh conditions, droughts, and poor soil conditions, they thrive best when they receive abundant rainfall. If they are planted near a steady source of water, like a river, their leaves will never wither, and they will yield a bumper crop of fruit. 

Isn't that just like our life with Jesus. God has made his people pretty hardy, just like the Olive tree. We can survive life going to church, once in a while, or even on a fairly regular basis. We might be able to endure by watching services online. A little time with Jesus is certainly better than NO TIME with Jesus. However, if we want to thrive, we need to plant ourselves near the greatest source of living water. We need to put our roots next to his love and word. We need to spend time in worship, prayer, and praise. Our production, the fruit of our lives will blossom and grow the closer we are to the source of that life, JESUS CHRIST. Jeremiah's thoughts match those of the Psalmist:

"But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7,8)

Do you want to live a life of joy, a life filled with blessings? Do you want to THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE? Trust the Lord. Put your hope and confidence in Jesus Christ. You will weather the droughts, the storms, the heat, and the enemy if you are planted right next to Jesus. I praise God for the daily nourishment and living water I receive from him. Thank you Lord!