By Pastor Paul Gauche

Today’s Word: ‘Lavish’ as in… seeking lavish interactions with others creates the potential for thriving in ways we may not have considered.

Dwell on this guiding narrative for the thriving rhythms of generosity:

“As image-bearers of the Divine, we are called to be extravagantly generous human beings. We thrive as generous people by living open-handedly and open-heartedly, seeking lavish interactions with all people so that the abundance of the few can transform the scarcity of the many into a feast of blessing where all have enough.”

What does it mean to seek lavish interactions with others? How would you define lavish? The very nature of the word seems to point to abundance, even extravagance. Lavish is rooted in the image of a downpour of rain, washing, and cleansing.

Countries are warring. Again. The absence of peace in the lives of millions of people has created such unspeakable horror and overwhelming devastation that it seems ludicrous to consider what it means to thrive. But maybe that is exactly why we should double down on seeking generous interactions wherever we are today.

Being generous people here makes a difference there – wherever here and there are. We can seek lavish interactions in two ways:

Promote Understanding and Dialogue

Seeking lavish interactions begins with empathy and understanding. Encourage open conversations with people holding differing perspectives. By actively listening and seeking to understand the root causes and concerns of others, we help bridge gaps and build a foundation for peace.

Support Humanitarian Efforts

Seeking lavish interactions also extends to supporting humanitarian efforts in conflict zones. Donating to vetted, trusted organizations that offer aid and relief to those affected by these conflicts can be a tangible way to make a positive impact. If everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot. Our support can help alleviate suffering and provide essential resources to those in need.

Thriving Reflections:

++ Describe an interaction that seemed lavish to you. What made it so?

++ What are some things that hamper lavish interactions in your life?

++ How does seeking lavish interactions help you thrive?

#100days50words

#Thriv’ëra

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50words project, where he blogs about a different word each week. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche) or his blog, Thriving Rhythms.