Here’s
a short reflection on Jeremiah 29. It was written by Ann Bell Worley, and
posted on the Baylor University website.
Reflection on Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
“Babylon”
Not
simply an evil territory
or a dirty word,
as we are prone to believe.
But
a place where God’s people were sent
in exile
on purpose
on mission
to offer their culture
to the culture there
in love.
For
God so loved the world.
Like
Israel in exile, still we hope
for our homecoming in the city of God,
where there will be no more tears.
Let
us hope not
in closed communion
in isolated sanctuaries
apart from the Babylon-world.
Rather
let us hope
in the fullness of God’s love
in the life of the cities and towns
where we work
and love
and worship
and play.
And
remember
that God so loved not only us,
but the world.
Let
us hope for Babylon
as we hope for ourselves.
Let
us embrace
its people
its buildings
its streets
and fill them with the beauty
of God’s temple.
Let
us hope
with doors wide open,
welcome the city in
and pour ourselves out.
For
God so loved the world.
~
written by Ann Bell Worley, copyright © 2006 The Center for Christian
Ethics. Posted on the Baylor University website. http://www.baylor.edu/christianethics/CitiesandTownsWorshipWorley.pdf
