“And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7 NKJV)

Jeremiah told those who had been exiled to Babylon to “seek the peace” of that city. They were to seek “peace” (Hebrew: “shalom” – wholeness, peace, prosperity, happiness, blessing). They were to plant, build, marry, and increase, not decrease there. They were to be a blessing to the city, for in “its peace” they would have peace too. Are we a blessing to the city to which we’ve been sent? If our church ceased to exist in our city, would anyone notice? In our zeal to separate ourselves from the world, we tend to gather in a holy huddle around the Light while leaving those around us in darkness. Instead, let us be a light in our city, seeking its shalom in Jesus’ name.