Do Not Dwindle Away

"Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 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." (Jeremiah 29:5-7) 

God doesn't save us from the exile, he saves us in it. Too often we think if I could just be over there, I could....... Or if this wasn't true, that could be. Or, once I get out of this predicament, I can make that outcome possible. Nope. Build, plant, grow and learn right where you are. If you feel like you are in exile, consider what you have been asked to learn. It's part of the plan.

"For I know the plans ai have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord.

In my seasons of exile I often found it difficult to find God. I would lament and say things like "what now?", "you've got to be kidding me!", "how did this happen?", and "where are you in this?". Once I shifted my posture, dropped to me knees and prayed wholeheartedly, things slowly shifted. I started asking "What am I supposed to learn in this season?". And making the statements: "Here I am Lord, use me", and "Your will be done, not mine". I tried to grow where I was planted. I searched wholeheartedly and I found God.

We don't get to choose where we are sometimes. But we do get to choose what we do there. He knows the plans He has for you. Plans for a future and a hope....even in the unwanted grind. He saves you in the exile. Wherever you are, go to work, grow, and learn. Do not dwindle away. Work for the peace and prosperity of whatever land He has placed you in, for its welfare will determine your welfare.