grow where you are planted

Jeremiah 29:4-7 – Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  Take wives and have sons and daughters; takes wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.  But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

We’ve all been the new kid on the block, whether we move into a new neighborhood, go to a new school, start a new job or retire.   It’s daunting to have to learn the rules and culture of  the new place.   You have to make new friends and build relationships with a host of new people.   

We long for the way life used to be, with old friends, familiar  places, knowing what to expect.  We used to know how to get to the grocery store, and where to find great ice cream.  We used to have friends we could call up.  We used to know the boss and get special favors.  Even if it’s a move we wanted to make, change is always difficult.  

Life’s journey takes us to places we don’t want to go.  It takes us to places we don’t fit in and don’t feel welcome.   Maybe we are not carted off to Babylon, but we’ve all had times where we feel stuck and alone, and out of our element.  

And God tells us, like the Israelites in exile, grow where you are planted.  Adapt.  Build.  Plant a garden and start a family. Multiply.  Invest in this new place, even if it feels like you’ve been exiled to the end of the earth.  Care about your community, because your welfare is tied the welfare of this new place.  Make it your own. 

Grow where you are planted.  Be open to new possibilities.   God can use us in these new places to break down the barriers that exist and build new realities.   Be part of this new place, because you never know how long you will be there.