Do Not Dwindle Away

Every year I read my Bible from start to finish, or as my pastor says "Cover to Cover". It is a practice that has become part of my regular routine. This means that I get to read every single word in The Word each year. This morning found me in Jeremiah 29.

Most people focus on the beautiful promise found in verse 11 that speaks about God having a future and a hope for us. I actually have found more comfort in the message found in verses 4-7...

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “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.”

I don't know where you are, but I have lived most of my life feeling like I am exiled. Never belonging or fitting in. I tend to stand out because I am not in my forever home.

This kingdom that we live in is not really my home. Heaven is my home. So I live as those exiled.

The beauty is this passage tells us how to live while in exile, in Babylon, far from where everything is right. We are to continue to live and plan to stay. No matter how long or short our exile is. Build, grow, develop, and thrive in the things that have eternal significance. Our homes, the place where our children begin to learn about the world, needs to be nurtured and protected. The legacy we leave for the next generation is what matters. Not where we live, but how we live.

Are you dwindling away?

Perhaps, like me, you had to make the worst decision of your life recently. One of those choices between two horribly bad outcomes, choosing the lesser of two evils. Knowing justice no longer exists, and perhaps never really has. King Solomon, someone endowed with God's wisdom wrote "Don’t be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy" (Ecclesiastes 5:8). There is nothing new under the sun.

We, my husband and myself, made the choice to build our home. To do what was best for our children and eventually, their children. It will be our legacy. Having lost too many years, we made the call to make sure no more time is wasted. Our battle is over and we will carry the scars with us for the rest of our lives. We are free and we are victorious because what really matters is relationships.

People are the only thing that can come with us when we leave. We will always choose people, particularly, the amazing children God entrusted us with. Nothing on this earth is worth risking that relationship. It doesn't matter who is right or wrong, God knows and he loves justice. I don't have to defend myself, because God does that for me. I rest peacefully in the knowledge that one day everything will be revealed, and I remained true and steadfast.

Now I begin the journey to not dwindle away. To make an impact where I am exiled until one day when I finally get to go home, where I belong. To excel in exile at the things that matter most... Building relationships.