How do you define the word flourishing? (I would truly be delighted if anyone would accept the challenge to share their personal definition in the comments below). But we are not the only ones to ponder the word’s meaning. Attempts to define what it means for a human to flourish at life existed long before my Burning Curiosity took hold. And although I began this journey of navigating flourishing’s meaning to help college students navigate a transformational period of their life, I find myself fascinated by the existing research and challenged to consider these concepts from a personal perspective as well. As a result, there is currently an ongoing list in my writing journals with the prompt: A flourishing life is…and additions are continuously made as I come across various explanations.

This week’s addition to the list comes after contemplating the content in The Problem of Life with God by Tommy Nelson, which I will share more about in Solomon Says; however, I penned this note while reading: A flourishing life only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Anything else will leave us wanting. And the more that I inquire about how Artificial Intelligence may change the future career paths of college students and what it means to teach in Christian higher education, the more deeply I believe this statement to be true. Outside of His Presence—money, achievement, recognition, or whatever other idol you may place here, will fail in its ability to help you (or me) to flourish.

It is the message of A.W. Tozer that is currently challenging me to consider how I might “draw near to a Holy God,” to experience His Presence in a transformational way like Moses did in the burning bush if I truly desire to flourish in this life. Explaining Tozer’s concerns, Dr. James L. Snyder says, “…although most churches he was familiar with believe in the presence of God, few experienced the presence of God. That makes a big difference…we can experience the same God Moses experienced…Experiencing the manifest presence of God equips us to go into the world…nothing else really satisfies us. That’s a good thing. Let this book lead you up to the mount where the burning bush is to experience God in His fullness.”

As college students, and others, attempt to define what it means to flourish at life, as they Wrestle with who they are becoming, I offer the teachings of Tozer as a guide. The secular world tends to focus on what we do (career, profession, productivity). Tozer offers, “It is not enough to do good things. Anybody can do good things, including non-Christians and atheists, for that matter…It is not what you are doing, but who is working through you that really makes the difference…That is exactly what Christians today need to experience: to come in front of that burning bush and discover their identity from God’s perspective.”

If you have ever experienced His Presence, then you know the longing to feel it again and again. “I long to be in the presence of God day after day, and I long to have His Presence energize my life. Our physical life is so limited, but God’s presence is unlimited. His Presence lifts us above all our problems and difficulties. Find your burning-bush experience, and then go forward daily in the presence of the Lord, “shares Tozer. Additionally, “…the secret to all of this is to cultivate God’s presence on a daily, moment-by-moment basis. I think that was the secret to Moses’ life. He just didn’t encounter God at the burning bush and then after that give a testimony…Moses’ testimony was based upon the presence of God in his life right now.”

It is only through His Presence in the Trinity—God, Son, and Holy Spirit—that we are truly able to flourish in life, to fulfill our God-Given Space for His purposes. If you need some encouragement along the way, I highly recommend Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence, “This practice of being still in God’s Presence has increased my intimacy with Him more than any other spiritual discipline…In many parts of the world, Christians seem to be searching for a deeper experience of Jesus’ Presence and Peace.” Young reminds us that “Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.”

No matter your Season of Life or your circumstances, there is Someone who desires that you come into His Presence. Even if He does not appear in something as spectacular as a burning bush, He does appear. Will you accept the challenge to embrace A Listening Lifewhere His Presence will lead you into a life that flourishes?

References:

Nelson, T. (2002). The problem of life with God: Living with a perfect God in an imperfect world. Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Tozer. A.W. (2020). The fire of God’s presence: Drawing near to a holy God. [Kindle version]. Baker Publishing Group.

Young, S. (2004). Jesus calling: Enjoying peace in His presence. Thomas Nelson.