Flourish Like an Olive Tree

 

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God…”

—Psalm 52:8a

We live our lives on two distinct planes: the temporal plane and the spiritual plane. We can try to maintain these two planes completely separate from each other, but that tactic always fails.

So, we must choose which plane will dominate our lives. Will the immediate problems in the temporal plane of our lives take dominance over the spiritual plane of our lives? Or, will the spiritual plane take a superior position with respect to the temporal plane?

While the problems we face may challenge us to choose to focus more on the temporal plane of our lives, it makes far more sense to place a greater emphasis on our spiritual plane.

Comedian and talk show host Dennis Miller, in response to the results from the 2012 election, often tells his listeners that he believes the United States has flipped 180 degrees. He urges people to live their lives inside out: to focus on friends, family, and the blessings in their lives and lay aside any focus on politics or government or things outside their immediate control. In other words, focus on the spiritual plane, not on the temporal plane.

The Psalmist expresses this thought in Psalm 52:8-9:

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.

For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

Let us consciously and purposely bend our selfish will to God’s perfect will. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to guard us and guide us.

And, as we see God open up a new pathway before us, let us focus more on the spiritual plane of our lives and, just like the olive tree, let us flourish along this new path.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

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