"And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” --Jeremiah 29:7
This verse really struck a chord with me when I read it. Moving to El Paso was not my first choice. All throughout residency, especially that last year, what sustained me was knowing that soon, I would be done with hard work and poverty and I could finally enjoy the beautiful city of Miami. The sun, the beach, the sun, the beach!
But this was not to be for me. As graduation approached, I searched high and low for a job. Interviews were scarce, and the few that I went on had fierce competition. I went on two or three interviews where I was certain I would for sure get the position, only to hear that the position had gone to someone else. Needless to say, I felt rejected. I couldn't even mourn publicly because my friends were the one getting the jobs that I so wanted, to mourn for me, would be, I felt, seen as envy for them. It was hard and I cried many a night. I wondered why God was not answering my prayers. I despaired as I wondered how I would pay my bills. I felt so much shame. Then I got this job in El Paso.
El Paso is not Miami. It is not sexy, glamorous or even warm! It is far! Far from my family, my friends, from civilization. In short, I felt exiled. I felt chased out of town. I have had moments of deep sadness and loneliness out here. There are times when I am like, this is where I ought to be, but then there are other times when I look up and I wonder how do I get out of here stat!
So reading that verse was for me a word from God. I was not to resent this city, or be slipshod about my work while steadily searching for an exit strategy, but rather, I am to dig in, pray for peace at my job (and my job was a dramaful zone for the first few months), prosperity for my employers which will definitely trickle down to me, and in general the good of this city.
I am here for I don't know how long yet. But while I am here, it shall be well with this place, my job and with me.
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. --Psalm 126:5 NLT
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