Preparing for a New Normal

 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 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. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Jeremiah 29:5-8 NIV

The people of Jerusalem were under invasion. Nebuchadnezzar and his armies were taking the people from their homeland, distributing them throughout his empire. The prophet Jeremiah had called them for years to repent and turn back to God but it had fallen on deaf ears. Now they would have to prepare for a new normal. They would be held captive 70 years before returning home. 

Does any of this sound vaguely familiar? Will we have to deal with a new normal? For how long? How should we prepare? What did the Lord tell Jeremiah and the people? 

Build Houses

Houses of all sizes and descriptions were popping up all around our county, some so close I wonder if they are even able to social distance themselves now. Whether a house is 800 sq. ft. or 8000 sq. ft. it's not the house but the people who live within it that make it a home. God said build houses and settle down. 

Plant Gardens

Before March of 2020 only a handful of people grew gardens. It was too much work especially after a fulltime job took us away during the day and a meal could be had at an#Jeremiahy one of the restaurants located on every corner. Now people are making gardens, buying seeds and plants, and learning to make sourdough bread. God said plant gardens and eat what they produce. 

Marry and Raise Families

We all laugh that nine months from now there will be a flood of Corona babies. Raising children is not only a part of God's plan but a gift of marriage. Take this time to marry and raise a Godly family. It will pay off.

 You will eat the fruit of your labor;

    blessings and prosperity will be yours.

3 

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

    within your house;

your children will be like olive shoots

    around your table.

4 

Yes, this will be the blessing

    for the man who fears the Lord.

Psalms 128:2-4 

Give Your Children in Marriage

Will it be harder or easier for our children to find suitable mates under the new normal? Do we know how to lovingly advise their choices? Connecting with families through homeschooling (will that be part of the new normal?) and church may help our children be more aware of the choices they make. Which are Godly families? Which value family above money? Who are willing to learn trades valuable in sustaining homes, industries, and economies? Who will learn new languages and technical skills? Who are willing to follow the Lord for the long haul be it 70 days, 70 months, or 70 years? Working within God's plan will be our way to prosper. Daniel taken away as part of the captivity became head of state as he lived for God in his new normal.

 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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV

Blessings,

Gail