Called to Flourish
“That person will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither, and whatever they do shall prosper” – Psalm 1:3
Confession. When I was in school, I was often in trouble.
I had multiple detentions, both lunchtimes and Saturdays. The equivalent of the cane was still, anachronistically, in operation (received several of those). And after a series of suspensions and a graciously agreed-to fortnightly check-in with my parents and the Deputy Principal (my mum was a teacher at the same school), I decided I had to pull my head in. It was Year 12, after all, and I probably needed to settle down.
I was a clown. But did settle down just enough not to be expelled. I finished, and I vowed never to set foot in a school again. Threw away all my books, claiming ‘I am never learning again!’ and saved over the summer break for a one-way ticket to London, on a two-year working holiday visa. It was a prodigal call to adventure, fraught with all the difficulties of an immature teen seeking to make it in the world.
Looking back on this time, I recall the good people in my life who continued to persist with me, despite my reprehensible persona. They took time, asked questions, listened, nudged, corrected and supported — all the time pointing me in the right direction: Up.
It was hard, humbling personal work, pruning off the dead. These people could see and called forth the good that was in me. If not but for the grace of God, I would not be who I am today — astounding to my own school Principal, when I caught up with him in recent years.
I’m not particularly proud of my school years but tell this in a spirit of hope to those families who may be wondering ‘what lies ahead for my child?’ who may be pushing boundaries or difficult to understand. I have three children of my own. My parents look on with wry smiles, and ask, ‘... having a bit of trouble with the kids, are you?’
My story is also not a particularly unique one. The call to adventure is thematic of the great narrative stories of Western culture. Adventures are compelling because they require us to leave safety and comfort to go test, prove and bring forth good potential through painstaking pruning and transformation. For example, the story of God’s call to Abram:
“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you... So Abram went...”. An ordinary nobody at best, who leaves home luxuries at age 75, aims up and sacrifices everything in a deal with God.
His prize? Well, despite famine, war, family division and a multitude of temptations, he and his wife, Sarah are completely transformed, for the better. They are a blessing to themselves, their families, their community, and to countless nations — including us today, because they show us how to live a flourishing life.
This is what I continually hope for, and what I pray for my own family, the wonderful community of staff at Flinders. For the world. For your children. And for you.
Choose adventure. Make a deal with the God of the universe. Be like a tree planted by steams of water, that brings forth good fruit in its season, whose leaf does not wither, and whatever you do shall prosper.
May you, too, be called to flourish.
Mr Luke Swain
Head of Campus
