Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads in life, feeling lost and wondering, “Why am I here?” It’s a question that can strike us at any moment, leaving us disoriented and searching for direction. In those times, we might feel like we’re in exile – far from where we thought we’d be, surrounded by unfamiliar terrain.
This feeling of displacement isn’t new. In fact, it’s a theme that resonates throughout history, particularly in the story of the Judean exiles in Babylon. Their tale, captured in Jeremiah 29, offers profound insights for anyone who’s ever felt stuck in a season they never would have chosen.
Imagine being forcibly removed from your homeland, everything you’ve known destroyed, and finding yourself in a foreign country. This was the reality for many Judeans in 597 B.C. when the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem. Amidst their confusion and heartbreak, false prophets spread messages of quick deliverance. But God had a different word for them through the prophet Jeremiah.
In a letter to the exiles, Jeremiah delivers a shocking message: this exile isn’t going to be over quickly. In fact, it’s going to last 70 years – essentially a lifetime. But within this hard truth, God provides instructions that are surprisingly practical and deeply meaningful for anyone feeling lost or stuck:
1. Be Where You Are
“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce.” (Jeremiah 29:5)
This simple instruction carries profound wisdom. Instead of living in constant anticipation of rescue, God tells the exiles to settle in. It’s an invitation to be present, to engage with life as it is, not as we wish it to be.
How often do we put our lives on hold, waiting for perfect conditions? God’s message here is clear: don’t wait for everything to be ideal before you start living faithfully. Your current reality, however challenging, is where God meets you.
2. Invest in the Long-Term
The exiles are told to marry, have children, and seek the prosperity of the city they’re in. These aren’t short-term plans; they’re instructions for generational thinking. Even in uncertainty, we’re called to keep growing, keep investing, keep looking to the future.
This challenges us to ask: How can I be faithful right here, right now? It’s about adopting a growth mindset that focuses on what we have, not what we lack.
3. Seek the Welfare of Your Community
Perhaps the most challenging instruction is this: “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 29:7)
Imagine being told to pray for and seek the good of the very place that represents your captivity. It’s a radical call to see beyond our personal circumstances and recognize our interconnectedness with those around us.
This flips our understanding of purpose on its head. Our purpose isn’t just about personal fulfillment; it’s about contributing to the wellbeing of our community, even when – especially when – it’s difficult.
4. Draw Closer to God
Underlying all these instructions is an invitation to deeper relationship with God. “When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 29:13-14)
The exile, it turns out, isn’t about punishment. It’s about formation. It’s a place where God is reshaping faith, community, trust, and hearts. Our greatest purpose in life is not found in the “what” or the “where” – but in the “Who”. It’s about seeking God’s presence no matter the season we’re in.
This brings us to the famous verse often quoted out of context: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
In light of the 70-year timeline, we see that God’s plans are rarely about quick fixes. They’re about deep transformation, about shaping our character and deepening our faith over time.
So what does this mean for us today?
If you find yourself in a season of exile – emotionally, spiritually, or physically in a place you don’t want to be – perhaps God is inviting you to stop waiting and start seeking. Seek God in the hard places. Seek God in the long wait. Seek God with your whole heart.
The change you’re looking for might not be in your circumstances, but within you. God’s presence, promise, and purpose are available right where you are, even if where you are feels like Babylon.
Remember, you may not be where you expected, but you are not abandoned. God has not given up on you. This time, this place, this season – it’s all part of a larger story of transformation.
Why are we here? To find the One who wants us to seek. To draw closer to God, and to be a beacon of light in a world that often feels like it’s in exile.
As you navigate your own seasons of disorientation or exile, consider:
– How can you fully engage with your present reality, even if it’s not what you hoped for?
– In what ways can you invest in long-term growth and community wellbeing, right where you are?
– How might God be inviting you to seek Him more deeply in this season?
Remember, God is like a child who’s really bad at Hide and Seek – He wants to be found. Your current circumstances, whatever they may be, are an invitation to seek Him with your whole heart. In doing so, you might just discover a purpose far greater than you ever imagined.
