More Than an Address:
Abiding with Jesus Wherever He Plants Us
by Grace Thomas
“Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished” (Jeremiah 29:5–7 KJV).
As a little girl, I was born and raised in the Philippines to a missionary family. My family lived intentionally there, learning the language and integrating into the culture. We went to Jollibee instead of McDonald’s. We ate pancit instead of pasta.
While my blonde hair and blue eyes made me feel rather conspicuous, my friends didn’t mind. I played outside with church friends each Sunday, running around the building as our parents talked. Our Sunday school class took place outside under a red tarp, buzzing with mosquitoes and permeated by the smell of motorcycle smoke. I enjoyed running up and down the entryway with my friends, the dirt blowing in our eyes. The church was nestled behind neighborhood streets, with the occasional goat or chicken passing by. I loved my life. But then I became sick with tuberculosis three times, and we had to return to the U.S.
Our location may change, but we have a sure foundation in Christ.
As an eight-year-old, it was hard to adjust to a new culture. Everything in the U.S. was supersized and bulky. Unlike our church in the Philippines, our new church had air conditioning! Timing for social events was strict: Gatherings generally began and ended on time. And I didn’t stand out anymore. My blonde hair and blue eyes were normal in California. It took time to adjust to a new home.
As an adult, I’ve grown accustomed to living in California. When my husband and I first married, we lived in a 400-square-foot studio (a.k.a. garage). After four years, we finally decided to upgrade our space, but California’s housing market terrified us. After emailing a real estate agent, we were shocked to see the cost of a modest house on our small budget. We reread the listing to double-check the numbers. Nevertheless, we were ecstatic to have a bigger place and no more Zoom meetings in the closet.
In the Bible, we see others moving and dwelling in new places. In Jeremiah 29, the Israelites were exiled to Babylon due to their disobedience. While living in their homeland, God had given them multiple chances to repent, but they disobeyed. As a result, they were taken captive and exiled to the enemy territory of Babylon as punishment for their unfaithfulness to God. Are we being obedient to where God has called us? Or are we discontent with our dwelling place?
We can bloom wherever he plants us, regardless of location.
The dictionary defines dwelling as “to remain, have an abode, and settle.”* God commanded his people to dwell in the land during their seventy-year exile—to pray for their new dwelling place, to settle down, and to abide there by having families and working. I was fascinated by the Lord’s commandment to the exiled Israelites to put down roots in Babylon. If I were in their shoes, would I be willing to pray for those around me instead of harboring bitterness?
After living in various homes, I’ve learned it isn’t so much about where I dwell, but what I dwell on. Maybe you’ve experienced this too. Although the Israelites felt discouraged about their new home, Jeremiah had good news: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11). As a priest and prophet, Jeremiah regularly communicated God’s heart of justice and grace. Even though he lived through a time of siege, destruction, and exile, Jeremiah was still faithful to God’s call, regardless of his location. What about us—are we integrating into the community where God has planted us, even if it’s hostile to biblical values?
Although Jeremiah was originally addressing the Israelites, we can still glean encouragement from his message today. Our address may change, but our faith doesn’t have to. We can have a sure foundation in Christ, regardless of our dwelling place. God still has a good plan for us, and we can trust his plans no matter where we live.
*Vine, W. E. “Dwell, Dwellers, Dwelling (Place)”. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Blueletterbible.org. Accessed July 23, 2024. https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/ Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm?topic=VT0000837.
Grace Thomas is a Christ-follower, wife, and mother from San Jose, California. @gracenotes365
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.