Striving or Thriving? ∙
You are always the same; you will live forever. The children of your people will live in your presence.- Psalms 102:28
Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves remain green, and they continue to produce fruit.
Kaiser Permanente: A Legacy of Health and Well-Being
Kaiser Permanente, commonly known as Kaiser, was founded in 1945 in Oakland, California. It is a pioneering integrated managed care consortium. With a mission centered on innovation and service, Kaiser has grown to become one of the most prominent nonprofit healthcare organizations in the United States.
Kaiser Permanente serves over 12 million members nationwide, making it one of the largest nonprofit healthcare plans in the country. Its extensive network comprises 39 hospitals and over 700 medical offices, with a workforce of more than 300,000 personnel, including over 87,000 physicians and nurses.
This vast infrastructure enables Kaiser to deliver comprehensive, high-quality care to its members while fostering healthier communities.
The Philosophy: Thrive Together
At the heart of Kaiser Permanente’s mission is its guiding principle, “Thrive Together.” This two-word credo encapsulates the organization’s commitment to helping its clients “thrive in mind, body, and spirit.” Kaiser’s approach goes beyond treating illness. It focuses on empowering people to live their healthiest, most fulfilling lives. This philosophy is not just a tagline but a call to action for its teams, members, and communities to work together for a healthier today and tomorrow.
Inspiring Others: The Ripple Effect of “Thrive Together”
Kaiser Permanente’s “Thrive Together” philosophy has inspired other organizations, including Microsoft, which adapted the concept to encourage its employees “to be energized and empowered to do meaningful work.”
This concept of thriving, being empowered, energized, and living with purpose, extends far beyond the healthcare industry. It reminds us that well-being encompasses not only physical, but also mental and spiritual health.
A Higher Calling: Thriving in Christ
For children of the King, the concept of thriving holds even greater significance. As His children, we are called to thrive in mind, body, and spirit through the power of Christ. God promises to energize and empower His people to fulfill His will, allowing us to live lives filled with purpose and abundance.
Given the remarkable opportunities that the Father has provided for each of us, how can we thrive in all aspects of our lives: mind, body, and spirit? How can we embrace God’s promise of an abundant life in Christ?
REFLECT & PRAY
As Barclay said, “It is only when we live with Christ that life becomes really worth living and we begin to live in the real sense of the word.”
Father, thank You for sending the Lord Jesus Christ into the world, not only to save us from the eternal consequences of sin but also to give us eternal life at the moment of salvation. Thank You for Your promise of a superabundant life in Christ. Help us to thrive in mind, body, and spirit, and empower us to do Your will.
INSIGHT
Thriving Together: A Biblical Perspective on Abundant Life
The prophets of the Old Testament foretold a time when the children of Israel would not merely survive but thrive together in the presence of the Father. This promise is triumphantly echoed in Psalms 102:28: “Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.”
The Hebrew word for “thrive” here is kun, which means to “establish something durable, firm, and long-lasting.” It reflects God’s “creative power in firmly establishing the cosmos,” as seen in Psalms 93:1: “The LORD is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.”
The idea of permanence and stability is intricately linked throughout prophetic messages:
- In 2 Samuel 7:12, 16, God assures David that his kingdom and throne will endure forever.
- Jeremiah 30:20 highlights that the community of God’s people in exile will be restored.
- Isaiah 2:2 describes a future time when the Lord’s temple will be the most important place on Earth, attracting people from every nation to worship.
These assurances reflect God’s desire for His people to flourish, not only in a physical sense but also spiritually, as they reside in His presence and enjoy the blessings He promised.
From Surviving to Thriving: A Tragic Reality
Despite these promises, many children of the King are not flourishing; they are merely getting by. They are simply surviving rather than thriving. What a tragedy, given the abundant life that the Father has envisioned for them.
A broader principle is reflected in this situation. The collective experience of the nation of Israel serves as an example, even a warning of the possible shortcomings of the children of the King who follow Him.
The Abundant Life Promised by Christ
In John 10:10, Jesus boldly declares: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Here, the Lord Jesus Christ contrasts the malevolent, destructive designs of the enemy with His own divine mission: to bestow a life overflowing with abundance and joy. The richness of the Greek language unveils the profound depth of this promise. There are two words in the Greek language that are translated as “life.”
- Bios refers to physical life, from which we derive the term “biology.”
- Zoe, however, refers to spiritual or eternal life, the very life of God Himself. The English word “zoology” comes from this term.
When Jesus promises a “satisfying, abundant life,” He offers zoe: “a life that is rich, full, and eternal.” This zoe encompasses not only everlasting life but also delightful and rich fellowship with God. Jesus offers a life of “spiritual richness, eternal significance, and overflowing joy that begins now and continues into eternity.” It is a life lived in close fellowship with God, empowered by His Spirit, and marked by His blessings.
The Superabundance of Life in Christ
The phrase “more abundantly” in the original Greek is perisson, which means “a superabundance” or “more than enough.”
In John 10, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who guides His sheep to lush pastures where they can find abundance. To grasp the meaning of “abundance” in this context, think of what a shepherd does for their sheep. A good shepherd ensures they have everything necessary to thrive: ample food, clean water, safety, and care.
While we are likened to sheep, we are not literally sheep. The abundance Jesus speaks of is not about material wealth. Instead, it refers to a life that is full, rich, and deeply satisfying in meaningful ways. This includes meeting our needs, feeling safe, having a sense of purpose, and experiencing a profound connection with God.
As William Barclay explains, “When we walk with Jesus, there comes a new vitality, a superabundance of life.” This abundant life begins the moment we place our faith in Christ and continues to grow as we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit.
Thriving Through the Holy Spirit
Once we become children of the King, how much we enjoy this abundant life depends on how much we surrender to the Holy Spirit. The more we align ourselves with God’s will, the more we experience the fullness of life He offers.
MacDonald observes, “We not only have life, but we have it more abundantly.” This means that thriving is not just a one-time event; it is an ongoing process of growth and transformation.
Are You Striving or Thriving?
The question for each child of the King is this: Are you striving or thriving?
Striving represents a life filled with struggle, self-reliance, and survival. In contrast, thriving embodies a life of abundance, joy, and dependence on Christ. When we choose to live for the Lord Jesus Christ, who dwells within us, we transition from striving to thriving. His promise of an abundant life is not only for eternity but also begins here and now as we walk in fellowship with Him.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 