My cousin Tracy has the ability to make any destination feel like home. As a young single woman, I had moved to an apartment in England. I was there for a few months when Tracy arrived from Australia. Although I’d been given furniture to fill my small rental, I was still sleeping on top of one of the beds in a sleeping bag. Tracy had been with me just a few days when I returned from work to find the house redecorated with proper bedding, a tablecloth for the dining room table, and a new vase filled with fresh cut flowers. She had transformed my sparse living space into a cozy home away from home.
Following the takeover of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel was captured, exiled from his homeland of Judah, and taken to Babylon where he was forced to learn another language and fit into a foreign culture (Daniel 1:3-5). The intense changes were against Daniel’s wishes, and yet he and his friends flourished where they were planted. In fact, they were “ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in [the] kingdom” (Daniel 1:20).
We often deceive ourselves into thinking that we would be able to thrive if we could just have our choice of life with more money, a better job, a more understanding spouse, and better health. Daniel served under several kings, and even though his beliefs were under constant threat, he excelled and consistently proved himself faithful to God—the One who was with him at the dinner table, in the presence of kings, and in the lion’s den (Daniel 1:8-15,20, Daniel 3:19-27, Daniel 6:13-23).
With God at work in your “Babylon,” or your “less-than-perfect circumstance,” you too can settle, grow, and thrive there.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 10:1-27
More:
Read Jeremiah 29:4-7 and see how God encouraged His people to flourish even though they had been exiled.
Next:
What wants and wishes do you need to lay at God’s feet? How has God encouraged you to flourish in the life He’s provided for you?
iwalkbyfaithnotbysight on March 24, 2015 at 1:41 am
What a wonderful thing to do, and a wonderful feeling to see when you returned home 🙂
LCC on March 24, 2015 at 5:11 am
A Big Amen to your article, Ruth! As an encouragement, I was reminded of the verse in 2 Timothy 1 :7 ” For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline”… I believe God is ever ready to guide, help and teach us as we avail ourselves for Him to work through us. This was a lesson I learned not too long ago when I was struggling with decision to leave my job. After much of seeking the Lord, I realised, “Am I underestimating the power of God to work in the situations I face?”. That was the turning point for me.
Gary Shultz on March 24, 2015 at 7:22 am
Yes in deed, we need more people blooming where they are planted. The world needs to see the strong to the spectacular as God plants each of us to grow and produce the fruit of His purpose. We can even look and smell good while we’re at it. Thanks
Tom Felten on March 24, 2015 at 9:06 am
So true, Ruth. Regardless of the tasks, job, activity before us, we’ve been called to bring God’s transforming power and grace to it. As we live out His creative, restorative ways, others will see and get a taste of what it means to know, love, and follow the Creator of all things!
Ruth O'reilly-smith on March 24, 2015 at 12:06 pm
The many different seasons in my life – living with much and living with very little – continue to help me grow in my ability to ‘flourish’ in whatever space I’m in.. It is a growing process though – there are plenty of times when I find I’m running ahead of myself..hoping for circumstances to change. This truth of flourishing in any and every season, spills over to our spiritual lives too – I’m reminded of 2 Timothy 4:2 which says; “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching” and 1 Peter 3:15 “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it”.
Marlena Graves on March 24, 2015 at 4:57 pm
What a gift your cousin Tracy has. Blooming where we are planted can be hard when we’d rather be somewhere else, but it’s being faithful. Thank you for this great reminder. Wherever we are is home inasmuch as God is making his home in us and we are among his people.
Winn Collier on April 4, 2015 at 8:51 pm
I love that word ‘thrive.’ I want it. And I want it for others.