Planted, Flourishing, and Bearing Fruit
One of my favorite groups to teach to is our monthly Pacesetters gathering for our senior adults. Last week I shared from Psalm 92:12–14
[12] The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
[13] They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.
[14] They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green.
Our theme as a church for the coming year is to Grow into Oaks of Righteousness. Psalm 92 also emphasizes growth like a palm tree and cedar, flourishing that will still “bear fruit in old age.” Psalm 92 was written as a Psalm for the Sabbath, and my encouragement to those in their sabbath years was that sabbath, or rest, doesn’t mean finished. God still has work for all of us to do. Those who are growing and flourishing bear fruit, even in old age. And what is the key in this passage to flourishing and bearing fruit? Verse 13 says, “They are planted in the house of the Lord.”
Julie and I have had the burden during our married life to live near our church, because community tends to grow from proximity. We’re all most likely to hang out with those we live close to. That’s why when we lived in Phoenix for seminary, we moved across town to be closer to the seminary and the little church we were attending. Fast forward 18 years and our oldest son, living in Phoenix for college, also attends that same church. I think one of the reasons is the way the Pacesetter-age members there have loved on him and other college students. One gentleman has a standing open invitation for Sunday morning pre-church breakfast at his house to any who wants to come. What better way to attract hungry college students longing for home cooked meals and the comforts of a home. It seems like a small thing at one level, to offer a meal, but his efforts are bearing fruit, even in old age. Last Sunday this 150 or so member church had 15 college students in the service.
Sabbath doesn’t mean finished. We all have different gifts for sharing the gospel, but one thing we have in common is being “planted in the house of the Lord.” We will flourish spiritually through our consistent efforts to gather together to worship. Keep looking for ways to invite others to find a place to be planted and flourish in the South End of Louisville.
Photo by Min An