So why Build, Stay, Eat?

It's kind of a weird name for this type of blog - Build, Stay, Eat sounds similar to those interior design blogs. Trust me,I am not creative enough to start one of those types of blogs. I was originally going to title the blog Jeremiah 29, but the name was already taken. Jeremiah 29 is where my blog title originates from. Here is what Jeremiah 29: 5-7 says, "Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 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."
This is Jeremiah's letter from Jerusalem to everyone who had been exiled to Babylon. The Israelites were arguing over whether they should enter into the city, living as the Babylonians do, or stay outside of the city wall and never enter in, to show that they are God's chosen people. Jeremiah writes this letter to challenge them to do both! What an anstonishing thought! Who would have thought that a group of people can live in a sinful city and still live as God's chosen people?
Jeremiah's challenge struck me one day a couple months after my husband and I moved to the North Side of Pittsburgh. A lot of people didn't understand why we would move to a "bad" neighborhood in the inner-city. But, we knew we were called and this is where God wanted us to be. One day, my husband and I were talking about our neighborhood and the local schools. The conversation progressed to how we probably wouldn't want to stay in our neighborhood when we started having a family. (we aren't planning on having a baby anytime soon! Trust me!) After our conversation, I read Jeremiah 29. God's timing is always impeccable. Not only was it an affirmation for what we were doing but it was a challenge as to what we had planned for our future. The only way we are going to make a difference on North Side is if we commit to staying here for the long haul by building, staying, planting, eating, marrying, reproducing, working for peace and prosperity, and praying.
You may not have been called to the North Side of Pittsburgh or any part of the inner city for that matter but I guarantee God has called you somewhere. The question is: are you living among the people for God rather than standing on the outside or becoming worldly? And are you in it for the long haul so that God can change lives through you?