Connecting Point: Starting Point - TO THRIVE

Our friends at Merriam-Websters define thrive as: to FLOURISH, or to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances. With spring in full swing, I’ve noticed the dandelions thriving. I’ll be treating them real soon. Most of us want to thrive in our businesses, but, more than this, we want to progress, it’s human nature. On the other hand, reality teaches us that we do not always get what we want. No one is promised the world. Many circumstances are beyond our control, especially when other people are brought into the mix. I’ve been studying Josh McDowell’s and Ben Bennett’s “Free to Thrive” and I’ll be sharing some of their insights for the next number of weeks.

Matthew 13: 1-9 offers Jesus at one of his timeless best: the parable of the good ground: “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was

shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.’”

In essence the “ground” symbolizes our hearts, the “seed” is the Gospel of Jesus giving salvation to anyone who calls on his name. There are four types of ground; hard path, rocky terrain, throne infested and fertile soil. I want to focus on the third type of ground, infested, which I think is an appropriate description of life and the challenges we often face. Thrones or that vast array of weeds compete with healthy grass, stealing water and nutrients required for growth. An untreated infestation generally has the same outcome, the grass dies. I liken this specific illustration to the harmful effects of abuse and addictions which choke experience and worse, hope itself.

To thrive a person must face the negative patterns of the past or present. Ignoring these powerful dynamics only keeps one stuck in the cycle of pain. Healing occurs through biblical principles and a willing heart, even if it is wounded. Growth occurs when we take a step in the direction but does involve some risk; however, all within the guidelines of safe relationships and self-disclosure. The adage is true, “Hurting people, hurt people.” Hurting people are also healed in the context of healthy relationships.

Do you want to thrive? Are you tired and weary of painful past experiences that control your present circumstances? I point you to the heart of Jesus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” (Matthew 11:28-30).