Do you ever feel like an exile?
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. Jeremiah 29:7
Redeeming God,
What a seemingly strange command.
Your rebellious people
have been exiled to Babylon,
a pagan nation,
and yet you instructed them
to seek the welfare of the city,
its shalom, its universal flourishing and wholeness.
In the same way,
whether we live in a city or country
we would never have chosen
or an apartment with roommates we wished lived elsewhere
or a neighborhood that has no people like us,
you call us to seek the welfare
of the places you have placed us.
You work through us
to bless every people
with your peace and hope
and beauty and truth,
and one day your Holy City will move to us,
and you will dwell with us,
and we will know the future and the hope
you have planned for us.
Because of this truth,
may we live and love today and every day
for the sake of our neighbors’ welfare.
In Jesus’ restoring name. Amen.
Read Jeremiah 29:4-14.
