Read: Isaiah 58:1-14
You shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (v. 11)
In Western culture, we tend to think of flourishing as an individual pursuit. This notion has seeped into all areas of culture, including the church. I used to think of flourishing in my faith as solo, until I married a pastor. In growing closer to our church community and witnessing the ways we’ve supported each other through difficult and celebratory seasons of life, I’ve come to understand flourishing as more of a “we” reality.
Our passage today takes communal flourishing a step further. In Isaiah 58, God proclaims that the flourishing of his people is conditional upon the flourishing of the weakest among them (v. 6). Through the prophet Isaiah, God chastises his people for making their displays of worship about themselves while neglecting those in need (v. 7). Individual flourishing at the cost of communal well-being is a religious dead end with no hope of spiritual growth. Instead, God invites the Israelites to worship him with their whole lives—which includes where they put their money, time, and resources.
The result of prioritizing justice for all is nothing short of Edenic renewal. Becoming a well-watered garden whose springs never fail must not come at the cost of someone else’s freedom or well-being. True flourishing at a communal level requires justice as its soil. This passage invites us to consider: Am I flourishing at another’s expense? If so, am I truly flourishing?
As you pray, ask God to show you if there’s an area of your life in which you have prioritized comfort at the cost of justice.
Katelyn J. Dixon is a contemplative writer, speaker, and poet living in the Seattle area. In her free time, Katelyn enjoys cooking, photography, and exploring the enchanting Pacific Northwest with her husband, Drew, while partnering with him in life and ministry.
