12.14

  A Place to Settle (God & Mary)

Jeremiah 29:4-7

“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 what they 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.” 

Many of us are on a journey this Advent. Like the ancient Hebrews who trekked from Egypt to the Promised Land, we are in search of a home, a place we could settle and rest. We hope that over that next hill or around that next bend might be our peaceful destination where we can finally rest and savor God’s grace.

But God does not call us to spend our whole lives looking over the hill or around the bend. Instead, we are called to settle right where we are.

This text was granted to the Hebrews in exile. Not at home, not even on their way home, God tells the Hebrews to settle in, to grow gardens, build families, pray for their neighbors, and live grace-filled lives.

In this season of Advent, as we await the kingdom that is our true home, let us not spend all our energy hoping to get through the month, or pass that milestone, or finish that other project. Even—perhaps especially—while we are in exile, or journeying through wilderness, let us settle into God’s love.

We are called to live in the promise, even if we’ve not yet reached the Promised Land.

—Mary Nickel