How to Enjoy a Healthy, Fruitful, and Flourishing Life
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Our Ultimate Source of Life
More than a few times, I've experienced my body's inability to keep up with my mind's ambition. I just can't do what I used to do. This becomes obvious when I play too hard with my grandkids, even though it’s fun. It’s especially true when I overdo it with physical work projects. I pay for it the next few days!
Years ago, when I had a health crisis, I changed my diet, started exercising more, and getting needed rest. This helps sustain me as I get older, but it doesn’t reverse the aging process. That’s an inevitable, unstoppable march.
I realize there are plenty of claims for products and exercise regimens to make a person stay young or regain their youth. But they are just that—claims.
Health and beauty products became a vast industry over the past few decades. Not only the products, including hi-tech gyms, but coaches, personal trainers, and consultants related to this multi-billion dollar industry in America.
Millions of people pursue ways to extend their lives, beauty, and health. For most of us, it's a battle against time and our desire for vitality, usefulness, and longevity. Yet, deep down, we know it's a futile effort.
It’s basic human nature to defy the final stages of this journey of life on earth. But I believe our actual concern ought to be where we focus our attention regarding our strength and vitality. We need to shift our focus from the external to the internal—from a focus on ourselves to focusing on the Lord—our ultimate source of life.
Scripture
A psalm; a song; for the day of worship.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to make music to praise your name, O Most High.
It is good to announce your mercy in the morning and your faithfulness in the evening on a ten-stringed instrument and a harp and with a melody on a lyre.
You made me find joy in what you have done, O Lord. I will sing joyfully about the works of your hands.
How spectacular are your works, O Lord! How very deep are your thoughts! [vss 1-5]
A stupid person cannot know and a fool cannot understand that wicked people sprout like grass
and all troublemakers blossom like flowers, only to be destroyed forever.
But you, O Lord, are highly honored forever.
Now look at your enemies, O Lord. Now look at your enemies.
They disappear, and all troublemakers are scattered.
But you make me as strong as a wild bull, and soothing lotion is poured on me.
My eyes gloat over those who spy on me. My ears hear the cries of evildoers attacking me. [vss 6-11]
Righteous people flourish like palm trees and grow tall like the cedars in Lebanon.
They are planted in the Lord’s house. They blossom in our God’s courtyards.
Even when they are old, they still bear fruit. They are always healthy and fresh.
They make it known that the Lord is decent. He is my rock. He is never unfair. [vss 12-15]
(Psalm 92:1-1 GW) [Context– Psalm 92]
Reflections and insights
During my devotional reading several years ago, one verse spoke great encouragement to me. Here's what jumped out to me and encouraged my heart—Even when they are old, they still bear fruit. They are always healthy and fresh. (Psalm 92:14 GW))
It brings to mind the claims of so many advertisements pushing certain supplements and regimens promising to deliver this vitality. What's the key to this promise? Look at the verses that precede it, "Righteous people flourish …grow …are planted …blossom…" (vs 12-13).
But honestly, I don’t want to emulate some who consider themselves righteous. People have many ideas of what it means to be righteous, and too often, people reduce righteousness to external appearances and moral actions. But this leads more to a caricature of righteousness—a self-righteousness—rather than genuine godliness.
At the beginning of this psalm, we're pointed in the right direction of genuine righteousness. We're given four exercises for the soul that produce a flourishing life—giving thanks, singing praises, declaring the Lord's goodness and mercy in the morning, and proclaiming His faithfulness in the evening (vss 1-2).
All four are directed to the Lord, the source of true and lasting beauty and vitality. True righteousness is internal and relational, not based on our more behavior. It is found in a personal, intimate relationship with God.
The gateway into genuine righteousness is to surrender our will to the Lord. How can we do this? Begin each day giving thanks and singing praises to the Lord, and declaring His goodness and faithfulness. When we begin, continue, and complete our day doing so, we will enjoy a fruitful and flourishing life.
When our heart is spiritually healthy and fresh, with our life surrendered to God, we will be fruitful and enjoy a life that flourishes.
Reflection—
How do you start and end your days? Make a point to begin and end your day looking to the Lord with a thankful heart, and throughout the day. When you acknowledge and proclaim the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness, your life shall flourish with vitality and usefulness.
Prayer Focus—
Ask the Lord to help you develop a spiritually healthy regimen for life. Ask Him to remind you to begin, continue, and complete each day with praise, thankfulness, and acknowledgment of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness.
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