And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare. Jer 29:7 (NLT)
There’s a lot going on around the world, and everyone has different opinions about the causes and solutions to all the issues. I hear much debate, arguments, discussions and judgements over politics, religion, science, equality… and everything else in-between It’s easy to point the finger in these times, to cast a downward eye on the people and situations you don’t agree with. I am all for discussion, debate and the verbal processing of ideas, but as people of faith we should consider that instead of having pointed fingers, we have open hearts and hands.
Whenever I watch the news, read an article, or am confronted on different issues, I feel the whisper of God “you were born for such a times as this…” and I’m instantly moved from a position of judgement and a feeling of “what can I do”, to a position of compassion and prayer. Instead of crying “what hard times are these,” I’m challenged to say “what great opportunities to show grace and love I've been entrusted with.”
Israel had been carried off in exile to the city of Babylon; violently removed from their homeland and taken to one not their own, damaged and disheartened. But instead of purely comforting them, God sent them this message “Build homes and plan to stay… multiply and do not dwindle… (29:5-6).” In hardship, God encouraged them to seek peace in the land and to pray for the welfare of the people who had captured them – to keep on moving forward, don’t wail and despair, but hope, live and multiply. Don't be held back.
With all that is happening around you, don’t get caught up labelling a moment in time with negativity and hardship, but seek peace. Search for it, journey to it, plan and plot ways to show and bring about peace within the issues and discussions you’re having. You’re here on earth not to be a commentator or ‘judger’ of the times, but to be light and love – you’re here for ‘such a time as this' to be part of the answer, not just declare the problem. Instead of arguing, let's start hoping… it’s LOVE that makes the difference. In actively looking for the good in others, you will find hope for yourself.
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