So yesterday I was writing about being incarnational in our mission and how if we want to be missional being part of a community is the best first step. I was reminded of a vlog I did a few months back (which I’ve posted again below) where I looked at making the most of the ‘moments’ God gives us.
I looked at Jeremiah 29 and was really struck by verses 5-7 where God speaks to those exiled from Jerusalem and who found themselves in new and uncertain lands.
…”Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
He is encouraging them to make a home in this new place, when they may have been thinking, this is only temporary so let’s not put down roots, we’ll be going home soon. And that’s the thing, actually wherever God puts us we can be missional. God says to the exiles to settle down, make a home, and not just that but to bless their new community, to seek peace for it and prosperity. So not just to make a home but to pray for this new area, as it prospers so they will prosper.
We may find ourselves in a place we don’t want to be, but perhaps God has us there for a reason. Maybe it is just for a short period of time but do we think God can’t use that? No, of course not! Nothing is wasted in the kingdom! If we find ourselves in a place we don’t want to be then pray for it! Pray for the people, the community, the schools, businesses and homes. Perhaps God has you in this place for just this season, to pray and to make a change?
Recently I was prayer walking in an area that many people look down on but I felt God open my eyes to see the beauty of the area and that it was so blessed. It made me see things afresh and change my attitude that day. Who knows what God will do there next…!
Make the most of the moments God has given you in the place he has placed you…
If you want to see more on this theme, check out the vlog below…
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