Six steps for a flourishing life

How are you with instruction manuals? Do you love them? Hate them? Do you relish reading the rules of a new board game, or do you prefer someone else learn it and then teach you?

Instructions are important. Life would be chaos without some kind of common guidance for humanity. But what instructions we follow are integral to our wellbeing - imagine playing Monopoly using Settlers of Catan rules! (Frankly, any version of Monopoly is chaos).

In the book of Proverbs, the author frequently visits the theme of God's guidance along the path to flourishing. Chapter three offers six sets of instructions to live by if we want a flourishing life. These are not mechanical formulas, but blessings and gifts offered by God to those who heed his path.

1. Do not forget what I learn 

"My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.
If you do this, you will live many years,
    and your life will be satisfying."

~ Proverbs 3:1-2

Not forgetting what I learn is more than an intellectual remembering of the words, for I'm told it's about my heart. My heart is to keep God's path - love it, cherish it, desire it. Another translation says, "Let your heart keep my commands," which seems to imply even though my heart may want to follow God, I still might choose to do my own thing my way.

2. Live by loyalty and kindness 

"Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
    Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
    Write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favor with both God and people,
    and you will earn a good reputation."

~ Proverbs 3:3-4

To wear loyalty and kindness around my neck means to wear them in a way that is obvious to others and always in sight. But I also have to internalize them and etch them onto my heart so it will not be an outward thing only, masking a dark and angry heart. This is not possible by will power and self-improvement. It is only possible through the gracious work of God to transform.

3. Subordinate my own understanding to God

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

~ Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust" is relationship word. It means more than a mental belief God exists; rather, it implies a deep reliance on him. In other words, trust is primarily a heart issue, not a head issue, which is why I'm told to trust in the Lord with all my heart. To trust is to be confident that God knows, God cares, and God is faithful to lead me to flourishing as I follow him, meaning that if there is a difference of opinion, his ways (i.e. his guidance) are always better than my ways.

4. Be humble

"Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones."

~ Proverbs 3:7-8

To clarify, these words do not mean act humble. They truly mean be humble. To not be wise in my own eyes means I will not always think I know best (which I often do). Rather, I will be teachable - from God, from his Word, and from others. If I can release myself from the pressure of being right and the weight of thinking I must be the one to figure out a solution, the lifting of this burden will bring joy and healing to my spirit and, yes, even my body.

5. Treat my money and possessions as God's, not mine

"Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the best part of everything you produce.
Then he will fill your barns with grain,
    and your vats will overflow with good wine."

~ Proverbs 3:9-10

Treating money and possessions as God's allows for generosity, and to honour the Lord with money is to use it for righteous, just, and conscientious purposes as opposed purely selfish reasons. Trusting the Lord in everything (v5) includes trusting God's financial plan over mine, and God's financial plan includes offering him what one translation calls the "firstfruits" (i.e. tithing) and being generous toward others. In doing so, God promises to provide for me.

6. Stay the course

"My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
    just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights."

~ Proverbs 3:11-12

The path to a flourishing life requires the discipline to stay the course. It also requires being corrected (by a kind, loving God) when I stray off course. This correction can come in the form of a gentle nudge by the Spirit, or by allowing me to experience the natural consequences of my choices, or even through the words of another person (remember, I am to be teachable). However it comes, correction offers the opportunity for "repentance" (literally, "to change direction") and return to trusting the Lord and subordinating my understanding to his.

PAUSE and REFLECT: As you look at these six sets of instructions, where do you sense God may be inviting you to lean in and listen more intently? What is one small thing you can do this week to align yourself more fully with one of these instructions?

If we can follow this guidance, our lives will truly be the better for it, and we will move further toward the flourishing life that God offers humanity.