You can bloom anywhere

Derek Munn October 12, 2025 2 2

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Jeremiah 29: 4-7 (NIV)

4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Moving to a new place is always daunting. A while back now, we moved from the city to the countryside — quite the culture shock — we needed to go in the car for a pint of milk! For a while we struggled to settle, but accepting and adapting by trusting in God helped us to begin to plant new seeds.

“Bloom where you're exiled” might not be the pep talk the Israelites expected. Imagine packing for a short trip and God says, “Unpack. Build a house. Plant tomatoes. Oh, and pray for Babylon’s peace.” Talk about a plot twist.

Turns out, exile isn’t a short-term punishment on the naughty step, it’s a long-term lease. God’s message? Don’t just survive, thrive. Even in Babylon. Even when the neighbours sacrifice goats to weird statues. Even when the local cuisine is not to your taste.

So yes, plant your garden. Make friends. Join the PTA. And remember: sometimes God’s plan includes a detour with surprisingly good soil.

Prayer:

Dear God,

You really know how to surprise us. We thought we were just passing through, and You handed us a spade for the garden.

Help us settle in, even when life feels like exile. Teach us to plant joy in unfamiliar soil, to build friendship with new neighbours, and to find Your purpose in unexpected places.

Give us courage to unpack our hearts, not just our suitcases. And when Babylon feels too frightening, too unfamiliar, or too far from home, remind us that You’re here too — watering our tomatoes and cheering us on.

Amen