It's a verse that's often quoted at this time of year, as we celebrate graduations, weddings, and other major life accomplishments of our loved ones.
But we know that life is not all sunshine and roses. Some days are bad. We do not always prosper. Sometimes, we are harmed.
These words from Jeremiah could all too easily seem like empty promises of a God who isn't really all he claims to be. But perhaps the disconnect is in our understanding, not in God's actions.
If we pull back and put Jeremiah 29:11 in context, we learn that Jeremiah is a prophet of God speaking to the people of God who are in exile in Babylon. They want desperately to return to Jerusalem. But it is their own disobedience that has landed them in this mess. The false prophet Hananiah told the people not to worry - God would bring them back home in a couple of years. But Jeremiah knew better.
Seventy years, said Jeremiah. This is the time you will spend in exile. So settle in. Build houses, plant gardens, get on with your life. And, while you're at it: pray. Pray for the Babylonians. Pray for those who oppress you. Pray for their welfare, because your welfare is bound up in theirs. It isn't just about you, Israel.
God has a plan for your life, Jeremiah tells the Israelites. It is a plan for good and not for harm. It is a plan for a future with hope. But it isn't a plan that will be realized immediately. Every day won't be lovely, because you have some lessons to learn. Your infidelity to God and your refusal to act with justice and righteousness has led you to this place. You were warned, but you didn't listen. And now you are not where you should be. But God has not abandoned you. God wants good things for you - God has always wanted good things for you. And good things shall happen again. But not overnight.
And while you're waiting for this good plan to be realized, instead of sitting around complaining and blaming God, focus your energy instead on praying for your community. Pray for the people in your community. Not just the people who are just like you. Not just the people you like. But all the people - especially the ones you like the least. Because your liberation is tied up in theirs.
Sometimes we find ourselves in exile from the good things God wants for us. Sometimes this is our own doing - our own stubborn self-will leads us away from the path God would have us choose. Sometimes we are caught up in circumstances beyond our control. Our welfare is threatened through no fault of our own. Other people's choices, forces of nature, imperfections in our society create situations that affect our lives negatively. But God is still there.
And God has a task for us to do, even when we are in exile. Instead of waiting for everything to be rosy again, we should pray. Pray for our well-being, pray for our neighbor's well-being. Work to restore wholeness to our society. Work with God to create a future with hope.
The Monday Connection: Where do I see brokenness in my own life? In our society? How are these two things related? And what can I do about it?
sometimes I think lonliness in the midst of a crowd is a brokeness many people share and think they are alone in these feelings. They do not feel connected to anyone and it causes them to turn inward and feel even more lonely. Where there is not connection there is no caring. People suffer and as a result society suffers the disconnect
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