Bloom where you're planted - Susan Bennett

I know folks rarely sit down to read the book of Jeremiah just for fun! But it contains some profound truths we need to pay attention to – and one of them has become a bumper sticker.

In Jeremiah 29, the Israelites have been conquered and captured the Babylonian armies. They're in Babylon, far from home, and they're grieving and angry and miserable. Jeremiah's word to them is NOT what they want to hear. They just want out of there! And yet, Jeremiah tells them … and us … that even though they're in exile, they're to settle in, not only accept it but try to make the best of it. "Build houses," Jeremiah says. "Live in them. Plant gardens. Let the young folks marry and have children. Build your numbers. Thrive!"