Have you heard of the term Human Flourishing? Well, the first time I heard of it was on July 12, 2025 during my one-on-one conversation with the Most Rev. Prof. J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist. He asserted that God wants us to be faithful servants and also successful people in life and that is called Human Flourishing in Theology. Friends, that is nugget number two (2) as I had promised in my blog dated July 13, 2025 to share with you all. God is not just interested in our service to Him but that He is also interested in our overall success as people.
If you grew up with the kind of mindset about christianity like I did, we were intrinsically wired to think that life in Christ means salvation for your soul while you languish in your sufferings on earth until you get to Heaven. John 16:33 was the buttress for many believers to affirm that Jesus said we will have trouble so let’s endure it any way;
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Even my younger self knew back then that God did not take pleasure in my lack and suffering so I resented that kind of teaching which was made worse by all the suffering and lack I saw around my family and friends who genuinely loved and faithfully served God. It seemed like they had accepted that teaching and it was manifesting in their reality. When I started coming into a deeper walk with Christ and growing in my understanding of scriptures, I learned differently, that God takes no delight to see us living below the standards He has set forth for us. It was a blessing to my spirit to hear the Presiding Bishop echo these sentiments – that God truly wants us to do well and live life to its fullest. In John 10:10, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This declaration captures the essence of human flourishing, suggesting that Jesus’ mission is not only about spiritual salvation but also about enabling individuals to experience life in its fullest, most abundant form. This fullness of life encompasses not just our spiritual well-being, but also emotional, relational, and even physical dimensions, inviting us (believers), to pursue a balanced and thriving life.
The imagery found in Psalm 1:1-3 further enriches our understanding of flourishing by illustrating a life rooted in divine wisdom and guidance. It describes a person who delights in God’s law as “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” This metaphor paints a picture of stability, growth, and productivity, suggesting that true flourishing comes from living in harmony with God’s teachings. It implies that when we root ourselves in spiritual and ethical principles, we are able to withstand life’s challenges and bear fruit in all areas of our lives. Ultimately, these biblical insights encourage a holistic approach to flourishing, where spiritual depth and moral integrity pave the way for a vibrant, fruitful existence.
I pray for you this week, that as you diligently pursue God, may He cause you to immensely prosper and flourish in every area of your life. Let it be so and so it is in Jesus’ name. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.