Now is the Time to BUILD!
Jeremiah 29:11 is a familiar, universally quoted scripture. In circles both in and out of the church the following words can be found plastered over t- shirts, posters, and beyond. The scripture reads, “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This passage is oft used to bring comfort to individuals who are struggling or facing tough times, to bring comfort. However, as my grandmother would say, “There is more meat on that bone!”
The people in that day were facing their own pandemic. Because of rebellion, they were given a lengthy sentence to remain in captivity. Jeremiah 25:11 gives further insight, “11 This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.” In the midst of all of this, one could imagine the frustration. Desolation and captivity would be their immediate and long -term future. But the interesting thing is that they were given an assignment. Chapter 29 reads, “5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.” In the middle of those uncertain times, they were charged to BUILD and MULTIPLY!
That’s my charge to you. In spite of what it looks like… BUILD AND MULTIPLY! This is the perfect time to launch your small business, enroll ins school to pursue that degree, and go after that house. The time is NOW! Launch the small group, develop an action plan for persona growth and development, sit in a quiet place and strategize ways for your gifts and talents to evolve into sources of income.
But don’t stop there, aim to multiply! Building involves settling in and establishing something. Multiplication takes it a step further. A plan to multiply will cause you to develop a strategy that will put your ideas, gifts, and products in front of groups of people who normally wouldn’t see them. Social media can be a great tool for multiplication, and if you are uncertain, now is the time to forge relationships with people who can assist.
This is an uneasy time, but remember times were uneasy when Jeremiah 29 was written as well. The prophet wrote to express the fact that even in troubled times we must go on living. In the midst of unpleasant or distressing circumstances, we must be resilient, make adjustments, and strive to keep moving forward. Remember the words that the prophet received, “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Because of the current state of affairs, building may seem crazy, but remember He knows the plans!