READ: JEREMIAH 29:1-14

Jeremiah 29:1-14 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible, and, if I’m being honest, one that I struggle with a lot. In this passage, most of Israel had just been taken captive by the Babylonians, who were pagans and had been enemies of Israel for a very long time. After the Israelites were taken captive, some prophets started saying God would come to their rescue quickly, defeating Babylon and restoring the Israelites’ freedom very soon.

But God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah to say these predictions were lies, and the people touting them were false prophets. Instead, God told His people to get comfy because they were going to be in captivity for a while. Yet He promised to be with them, even in Babylon, and He had good work for them to do there. He said, “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” (verse 5-6). Even more surprising, He told them to pray for Babylon and “work for the peace and prosperity of the city” of their enemies (verse 7)!

Sometimes I feel like the Israelites—stuck in a situation I hate, just looking for a way out. I spend so much time looking for future rescue that I don’t see what Jesus is doing right here, right now, in the middle of my “exile.” I forget He is here with me. Instead of asking Jesus what He wants me to do, I look for ways to take control and even to withdraw into myself—trying to isolate myself from God and others.

When we find ourselves in situations we hate, as Christians, we can take comfort knowing Jesus is right there with us. If we rely on Him to help us resist the temptation to rush through the present, He will show us all the richness He has for us right here, right now. • Taylor Eising

• How might knowing that Jesus is with us in our times of “exile” bring us comfort and purpose?

• When we’re hurting, God doesn’t tell us to ignore our pain, stuff it down, and just get to work. Instead, He invites us to bring our pain to Him with raw honesty while we continue to serve Him and trust Him in the present. How could you practice this in your own life?

• How can looking to Jesus make it possible for us to serve wherever God has placed us, even when we consider the people around us to be our enemies? (Hint: read Romans 5:1-11)

“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.” Jeremiah 29:7 (NLT)

READ: JOHN 15:5; ACTS 17:13–18:5

Waiting is the worst. Or maybe I’m just the worst at waiting. Especially in the high school years, “real” life seems far away and dreams look distant. It’s easy to think about what we want to do and how we want to serve God in the future. It’s way harder to live that out now.

A few years ago, I saw a need at my school and decided that, no matter how small my platform, I’d let God work through me to meet that need. It was amazing to see God work as I stood on a literal stage (the smallest stage on campus!) and used the talents He had given me to point my peers to Jesus. I’d never felt more humbled to be used by the Creator.

Paul found himself in a similar situation in Acts 17. He’d reached Athens and was waiting for his friends (verse 16). In other words, even Paul, one of the most famous people in the New Testament, knew what it was to wait! But, rather than just sit around, Paul used the marketplace to tell people about Jesus. He was waiting actively.

Yeah, sometimes waiting is hard. But even in the waiting, God is working. Waiting actively means living life with Jesus, being attentive to His leading no matter where we are or what season we’re in—trusting that He is working even when we don’t see it.

No matter what you’re waiting on, you can serve Jesus right where you are. You can use the crumbly floor of your cafeteria, the gravelly road as you wait for the bus, and even the carpet of your living room. Whatever season God has you in, wait actively. Know that He is working in your life right now. As you abide in Jesus, you never know what He’ll do through you! • Sarah Rexford

• What are you waiting on in this season? How might this season of your life change if you started living like you believe Jesus is working during the waiting?

• It’s easy for anxiety to creep in as we wait. Do you have any favorite Bible verses or passages that show Jesus’s faithfulness? If not, who are trusted Christians in your life who could help you find some? How could you set aside time to ponder Scriptures like these in times of waiting?

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)

READ: LUKE 15:1-3, 8-10; 19:10

Cadlyn’s hand froze as she reached up to push her hair back, hovering over the empty space where the coin should have been. Her heartbeat quickened, and her fingers fumbled in her haste to pull the headdress off. Elegant silk and silver coins shone up at her. Cadlyn’s heart sank. It was as she had feared: a coin was missing. Nine silver coins like full moons embroidered into the headpiece, and one empty circle of thread.

How could it have fallen out? What will I tell Jorar? she silently cried. She’d been married barely a month; the headdress had been his wedding gift, and Cadlyn treasured it dearly.

Surely it was around here somewhere. Determined, Cadlyn set her headdress on a chair and took a match, lighting a candle. The coin had to have come loose while she was working, and she was going to find it. She snatched up the broom in the corner and set to work. There were nooks and crannies everywhere, and she wasn’t going to stop until she found her coin. A first sweep around the room proved futile, as did the second.

“I’ll find the coin if it takes me all day,” she murmured to herself. And she swept again. When that too failed, she realized what she needed to do. The cobblestone floor looked daunting as Cadlyn knelt. Stone after stone riddled with cracks that a coin could slip into.

Fingers over cobblestone, second after second, minute after minute, hour after hour. The sun was beginning to color the sky pink as Cadlyn’s raw, aching fingers brushed over a round shape wedged between two stones. Her heart leaped as she pulled out the coin.

Cadlyn let out a breath of relief, rejoicing that she had found the lost coin. Just like Elohim rejoices when a lost sinner is found, she mused. Thank You for Your love, my King.

The door gave a creak, and Cadlyn rose to her feet. Jarar was home. “Come celebrate, my love!” she called. “My lost coin has been found!” • Macy Walts

• This allegorical story is based on a parable Jesus told in Luke 15. Consider taking some time to read this passage slowly. How is today’s story similar to the parable? How is it different?

• Jesus searches for us, and He doesn’t ever give up. He went through the terrible pain of the cross because He loves us and wants us to be with Him forever. How does it make you feel to know that God searches for you—and rejoices over you when you receive Christ?

[Jesus said,] “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 (NIV)