“Peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the
creation of an environment where all can flourish regardless of race, color,
creed, religion, gender, class, caste or any other social markers of
difference.”
Nelson Mandela
Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere
where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated,
communication is open, and rules are flexible - the kind of atmosphere that is
found in a nurturing family.
Virginia Satir
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears
of the deaf shall be opened;
then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of
the speechless sing for joy.
Isaiah
35:5,6
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weeds flourish
as any gardener knows
suddenly there they are
flourishing
button weeds, stinging nettle, crabgrass,
morning glory and thistles
the plants I desire?
not so much
it always amazes how much work it takes
to keep the plants I want alive
and flourishing
it takes attention, and care
a spiritual self is a lot like a garden
it is amazing how quickly things can get messy
and astonishing how difficult it can be to grow the
fruits of the Spirit
you know
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
often, when I think of spiritual gardening
I think of prayer, and meditation
I go to the default belief that I must go inside
you know, to that place where the soul meets God
and that is certainly part of it
but I have come to believe that the garden of God
call it Eden if you will
is bigger than myself
and that to flourish spiritually I must move beyond that
inner space within
to that space outside myself
and that it is not just a matter of a right relationship
with myself
but also a right relationship with others
that flourishing involves outward relations with God and
with those around me
“Love the Lord with all your heart . . . and love your
neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:37–39). “And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
to flourish spiritually (I believe)
we must look out as well as in
we must find God in creation, and find God in our
neighbor
as well as in our heart, mind and soul
yes, prayer, mediation and study are important
but so is participation in the redemptive work of God in
the world
and I believe the evidence of flourishing is not an
inward feeling state,
but participation with God in sustaining his creation,
working for a justice
caring for people
Spiritual flourishing is not inward, individualistic, and
subjective,
but outward, communal, and objective
it is incarnational
think about Jesus
if anyone flourished spiritually it was he
and yes, he went on retreats, and prayed
but mostly he related with others
he taught
and healed
forgave
and fed
he washed feet
he sat at the table with friends (and enemies)
I want to flourish
I know that means inner work,
But it also means outer work
it means being part of a spiritually flourishing
community
and it means being the hands and feet of God in this
world
being connected with others in a redemptive
restorative way
flourishing means being fed, and also feeding
being loved, and also loving
being forgiven, and also forgiving
in my experience
the weeds of fear, doubt, hate, and prejudice
have trouble growing
when I not only love God, but love those around me
it is much harder to hate or neglect
much harder to harm or diminish
a person you are working with
the person you have served
the person you have seen, face to face
I want to flourish
And one way I flourish
Is to work so that all around me flourish too
