flourish

by Scott Erickson

Last night at the prayer meeting we shared requests with one another and prayed for each other. I asked that we pray for our church as we begin this huge transition process -- even as we were meeting to pray, our session was meeting to discuss the hiring of two new staff members (interim worship director and interim senior pastor). The second part of my request was related, but on a personal level - for wisdom and insight into how God wants to use me during the transition process. I've been praying about that for awhile, for clarity and a sense of God's call and purpose for me in the church. I tend to spread myself too thin and get my hand in too many things, and at a time like this there is even more potential for that. So I've been asking God where He wants me.

This morning I got some answers, but (in his usual way) God answered the questions behind the question... which are always more important anyway. The question behind, Where do you want me? has actually been, Can you really use me? Or will I overstep and over-commit and burn out? And behind those questions are others: Will we be OK? Will I be OK?

Here is God's answer from Psalm 92, verses 12-15.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,

proclaiming, "The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.

Going back to my questions...

Where does God want me?
Where I am planted, in the house of the Lord.

Can God use me?
I will bear fruit throughout my lifetime, even in my old age.

Will we be OK?
No. We will flourish.