FOR MY CITY

7 “Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare.

“Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.” Jer 29:7 (MSG)

Have you ever wondered why on Earth you are in the city or town that you are in? I have a ton of times. Danielle and I have moved quite often in the first part of our marriage. We have seen rural places and we have also seen packed out places. I am so grateful for these experiences, even though they have been hard, because it helped me appreciate where I come from, in a small town in Alabama. I never thought in a million years that a country boy from way in the "boondocks" as we like to call it down south, would ever have the chance to travel and see the world the world like I have. As we moved from city to city and town to town, I've noticed something really awesome about each place. Most everyone you come in contact with, has a substantial amount of pride for their city no matter the size. Whatever the question is, it always ends in them representing their city. Most everyone that I graduated with from high school, couldn't wait to get out of this small town that we call home. But after a short lived road trip, everyone seemed to find themselves back here, including myself. I can't help but to think of that old saying ("Home is where the Heart is"-Pliny The Elder), when I see everyone leave, and come back home. But I feel like it goes much deeper than that. Where ever you have grown up at always holds a special place in your heart. You can't describe it, You can't summarize it. It just feels like it's a part of you. No matter where you go, you can't outrun it. I feel like God places these pieces into our lives because he wants us to have ownership and really pride over what we do with where we live and what we have been given. One of the main reasons that made me come back to my hometown was the fact that my dad said something to me one weekend while we were in town preaching at a youth conference. He said "Adam, I don't know why you have to travel all over to do what you are doing, because there are plenty of people in your own backyard that need Jesus." That hit me so hard. So many people need to hear the love story of Jesus and how he wants to build a relationship with us, and who better to share it with, than people that I grew up with and live in the same city with. I love where I come from and I want to plant healthy seed into people's lives here and watch God get the Glory for the harvest. Join together with me as we pray, and we take our city for the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: God everything we have, and see is yours. I am grateful for where I am and who you have called me to reach. I pray that you give me courage and boldness as a lion to share the greatest love story ever told. Amen