Here are two more areas in which God created us to flourish: 1) Our relationships. When it comes to relationships of any kind, our languishing self is often troubled. We might find we’re undisciplined and careless in what we say; we might revert to sarcasm, gossip and flattery. We isolate, dominate, attack., then back off. Whereas our flourishing self looks for opportunities to bless others. It energises us. We’re able to share thoughts and feelings in a way that invites others to be open with us. We’re quick to admit our mistakes and we freely forgive others. 2) Our experiences. God helps us grow because He wants to use us in His plans to redeem His world: that’s why we’ll find Him changing our experiences. Our flourishing self has a desire to contribute. We discover a sense of calling, even if we’re not quite sure what that calling is yet. Our inner longings to reach our potential, and embrace what we were created for, is a tiny echo of God’s own longing to begin His new creation. The rabbis described this as tikkun olam – to repair the world. If we focus only on ourselves, life is as small as a grain of wheat. But when we give our lives to God, it’s as if that grain is planted in rich soil, as it grows into part of a much bigger project. Jesus said: ‘Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces…many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life…as it is, destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal’ (vv. 24-25 MSG).
