Moving is hard. It is not an easy thing to do. Uprooting yourself from a place to plant yourself in new soil is a process. I remember coming to Hamilton for the first time and I’ll be honest, I was a little unsure. Some parts of the city were rough, and some areas just did not feel safe. But I knew God called me here. Either for a season or forever, I had no idea, except that I wanted to remain where God called me. I was certain in some ways, God had a purpose in bringing me here. So I looked for the beauty in hidden places and I started falling in love with this city.
I believe that where we live is never a coincidence. Where we live makes a difference, not just for us but for those around us and the generations after us. Whether you agree with me or not, we leave a footprint in the spaces we live, either good or bad.
God has a plan for you in the spaces you occupy. It may not look fancy or anything Instagram-worthy but that city and space is where God has called you. I believe that moving anywhere should never be done only looking at opportunities, the scenery or the weather, but rather on God’s word. As children of God, we must learn to move where and when God’s Spirit asks us to move.
There is someone who needs you where you are right now. Maybe it is just one person, maybe it is ten or fifty or maybe you’re called to impact a hundred. But you will never find out if you go about with a negative attitude.
If your city or the place you live in does not feel like the place you wish to live in, start praying for your city. Start speaking Jesus over your neighbourhood and street. Remember, on earth, as it is in heaven? We pray that God’s will be done in our cities. We do not curse, but we bless our cities. We do not attack but we pray. We speak life in dead places and hope in hopeless situations. Until the city changes or God moves you out of that place.
I find so often that people move to places looking to make a little more money. I think we have it all wrong. The problem with this is when we move just to make money or get rich, we’re not looking to God to be our provider.
Consider the story of Lot. Lot chose the land that looked like prime real estate, it says that the land had “well-watered gardens like the garden of the Lord.” (Genesis 13:10) But sadly, that city also had wicked people who were sinning greatly against the Lord (Genesis 13:13). Eventually, that city was burned down and destroyed and Lot lost everything. The places that appeal to us might not be the place God has destined for our families to prosper.
I have also realized that people who grumble in one place will not stop grumbling after they move. Negative attitudes don’t get fixed when you suddenly get on an airplane and exit out of a different airport.
When you really think about it, our citizenship is in heaven and none of this is really our home. There is no city, country or place that is perfect. Choosing to stay where God has you sometimes is never easy especially depending on where you live. But God has the power and strength to move you when it is time for you to leave. And you better move when he tells you to move! So if you feel like you’re stuck in a certain place, remember, you are not. You are exactly where you need to be. You are on mission. There is a reason you are where you are.
If we are being honest, there are times when Abraham and I have felt like the grass is greener in another city but the reality is, the grass will always look greener on someone else’s Instagram reel. We have lived in Hamilton now for the last 5 years. Despite the ‘not-so-dreamy’ streets and a city most times filled with tents, I believe this is where God has lead us to in this season of life. We are grateful for the friends, the church, the community, and everything else this city has given us.
God tells the exiles in Babylon “…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.” (Jeremiah 29:7) Let us start praying for our cities so we too may prosper when it prospers. You never know the difference your prayers can make on behalf of your city.
Questions to consider:
Are you struggling to love the city you are currently living in? Have you prayed about why God has placed you where you are? God might have a purpose for you in your city. Today, ask God what it might be and trust Him to show you and give you a love for the city you’re living in.
Leave a reply to Neeba Abraham Cancel reply