This summer during our family “rest in Destin”, Daddy gave us each a scripture to meditate on. My particular verse was from Jeremiah 29. As I was revisting the chapter today the words echoed in my head again, BE PRESENT. God was telling the Israelites to be present in their captivity! And He gave specific instructions on how to do it!
Now, the Israelites had just been taken into captivity. Their world had been turned upside down. They had been uprooted from their homeland and forced to live with foreigners. Their hearts ached for a home. And they had no idea what was to come in the days ahead.
Imagine the questions: Should we keep our bags packed or move into the chest of drawers? Should we buy some groceries or keep continue to figure it out meal to meal? What about that family we just met, they seemed nice, will we be here long enough to establish community?
Sound familiar? Though we may not physically be in exile, sometimes our situations feel similar. It’s hard to be present in what may seem like a temporary situation. May these verses (particularly their verbs) over the next few days bring clarity and encouragement.
“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; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. 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 have welfare.’ ~Jeremiah 29:4-7
This is part of 31 days (of being present). Join the other 31 day-ers here.
Rebekah Diaddigo 