Blessed in the City: Christians and Christianity on the Move

“Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.” Deuteronomy 28:3;6

By the time I was 25 years old, I had moved to a new city where I didn’t know anyone a total of three times. Three times! Yikes.  I have since moved two more times for temporary work assignments. Yes, it’s safe to say that I’ve moved around quite a bit even BEFORE the age of 30.

Frequent relocations are no strange occurrence in today’s society. Americans continue to move in and out of places all the time. The U.S Census Bureau reports that in 2016, 11.2% of Americans had moved within a 1 year time span. Millennials (which includes me) are especially transit. I guess that makes me feel a little bit better about the frequency with which I move lol.

Why are we moving you might ask? Well, it appears we’re moving:

• For better job opportunities
• For better homes/neighborhoods
• To be closer to family or significant others
• To be further away from family or significant others (lol!)
• To just be downright adventurous!

Can you think of any other reasons?

Along with big moves, come significant joys and challenges. It can be a fun and exciting time. A new job, new friends, new housing, and totally new adventures. On the flip side, moving to a new place alone can mean less intimate times. Perhaps you may have fewer hugs or no one to watch your favorite TV show with. Oh and here’s a biggie— not a lot of people around to help you if you start to have car trouble! (True story; this has actually happened to a friend of mine). Depending on the type of personality you have, moving to a new city could mean lots of alone time. Just you + God.

Moving to a new city reminds me of the story of Joseph the dream interpreter’s father, Jacob. In Genesis Chapter 45, Jacob received word that his son Joseph (whom he thought was dead but was actually sold into slavery by his brothers and eventually became a dream interpreter to Pharaoh— loooooooooong story but please read Genesis for details!) was actually ALIVE! Jacob’s sons told him of this along with the request for the entire family to leave the land of Canaan and join Joseph in Egypt so that they could be closer and care for each other, particularly because there were more years of famine ahead.

Along the way to Egypt, Jacob stopped in Beersheeba and WORSHIPPED (Genesis 46:1). He also offered God a sacrifice. It can be concluded that Jacob was perhaps seeking guidance about this big move from rural Canaan to a busy city such as Egypt. Scripture reveals that God then appeared to Jacob after the worship and sacrifice in Beersheeba and said this:

“I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to do down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you… (Genesis 46:3-4).

WITH him! God told Jacob that he would go down to Egypt WITH him. And, not only that but look at what else God said He was going to do with, through, and for him after the move—make a great nation from Jacob. Wow, that’s an amazing promise!

 

Here’s a list of other times in the scripture we see similar promises:

• “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
• “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15
• “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

These are just a few of many examples of God’s promises to go “before you” into new places and be WITH YOU.

 

Moving to a new city can be a pretty big deal. You have to depend on God like never before when you’re in a new place. Trust, faith, patience, and strength are all necessary during this transition period like never before. It’s kind of like that GRAY AREA that we talked about in the blog post “Grateful in the Gray (AREA)”. You may feel slightly uneasy because you’re not quite sure how things are going to turn out. It’s okay though. Continue to pray and stay close to God and He will make things known to you in due time.

Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible. It reads “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Being physically alone can allow you a special relationship with God if you let it and TRUST God. It’s all about perspective.  Although what’s on the outside is changing (your environment), hold on tight to something that will never change- God’s love for us.

May your eyes, your head, and your spirit always BE LIFTED.

 

 

 

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