Dear Elim Grace,

Let’s be honest: Do we treat the place we live in as the place we are going to die in?

In general, for many of us as children, we rarely imagined there was any place but home. Our family, our friends, our neighborhood, our school, our church, our city. Everything and everyone we needed and wanted was in one place. But adults seem often to imagine leaving home. For many reasons, an undercurrent of discontent makes it hard for us to settle down. Life must be better somewhere else. 

As Americans, the pull is to create for ourselves a better life. There is always and only “moving up”. But as disciples of Jesus, is that the best way to think about the direction of our lives? Always up?

For the first few years of living in Oswego, this was precisely what I tried to do. I had my own dreams, plans, and ideas of what God was calling me to do. In retrospect, what I imagined God calling me to do lined up exactly with what I wanted Him to do. So I often felt “drawn” or “led” away because my life as it was was not what I imagined it would, could, or should be. I had to find a way up and out. As a result, my life was one of mild discontent – discontent with God, life, ministry, work, etc.

It wasn’t until my wife and I purchased our home that I finally ceased to “kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14). In fact, the decision to buy our home is the hardest decision I have ever made. I saw clear that it meant putting down roots and being willing to never leave this place. I fought hard to resist that. But we only hurt ourselves when we resist God. The moment I gave in, my heart found rest and I began to come alive. Today I imagine Oswego, New York to be the place I will die in. And I am content with joy.

As disciples of Jesus, the direction of our life and ministry may not be to climb out and up. It may be to fall to the ground and die. “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone.” (John 12:24) As disciples of Jesus, we must be willing to receive the place we live in as the ground He intends to plant us in. This means being willing not only to live here, but to die here. This freedom allows us to live without reservation. To hold nothing back. To forsake all other options. To lay down our life. 

There may still be reasons for which we will leave the place we live in: family, a work transfer, sickness. But wherever we are, the fruit Jesus wants to produce in us and through us is only possible as we lay down deep roots. As we surrender our lives to Jesus in a specific place among a unique people. As we sow our lives within the boundaries of our dwelling which God has determined for us (Acts 17:26). 

Let’s be honest: Do we treat the place we live in as the place we are going to die in? 

Pastor Jonathan