Grow Through Dirt February 24, 2017

⁴ “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ⁵ Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. ⁶ Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. ⁷ 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 29:4-7 ESV 

Seventy years.  Seven decades.  3640 weeks.  25550 days.  That is the length of time the Israelites were told by God they would be in exile and captivity.  No early release.  No parole.  Sentence to be served in full.  But take a look at the advice God gave his chosen people.  Live, plant, marry, multiply.  Build up the community in which they were living.

Sometimes we feel we are in exile and captivity.  A bad marriage.  A lousy job.  A dysfunctional church.  You may be exactly where God needs you to be.  If that is the case, then heed his advice to the Jews.  Don't withdraw, pout, or sulk.  Live, plant, grow in whatever situation you find yourself.  

Work to improve your marriage.  Find ways to help that company meet its sales goals.  Start a small group of like-minded believers that will pray for God's intervention.  God had his people right where he needed them to be, and we too are in the exact place of God's choosing.

The worse the situation, the greater God's glory when he prospers his children.  Let's not endure, but prosper.

Grow where you are planted.