He's Listening...

When the Israelites were taken into captivity in Babylon, many must have surely thought that life was over.  That nothing good could possibly come of their experience.  But the Prophet Jeremiah gave this word to the Israelites and it is recorded in Jeremiah 29:11.  "For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen".  

Those of us who have young people in high school in Enterprise, or who are young people in high school in Enterprise, or who teach young people in high school in Enterprise have surely seen the despair that sometimes marks the countenance of our students.  Each day they face another day in exile, in makeshift classrooms hastily assembled in trailers laid out at the community college, after their high school was utterly destroyed by the tornado of March 1st, 2007.  

Many relocating to the Wiregrass have chosen not to settle in Enterprise because we have no actual high school facilities for their children to attend.  Like many places around the country, "For Rent" signs have become commonplace in the yards of homes languishing on the real estate market. It stings us doubly here though, as we wonder how many might have come and stayed, if our community had a permanent high school.  

But I read in earlier in the 29th chapter of Jeremiah, the Lord encouraging those in exile not to lose hope.  In fact he says this: "Build homes and plan to stay.  Plant gardens and eat the food they produce...  ...work for the peace and prosperity of the city...   ...Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare."  

What incredibly encouraging words!  And how applicable they are to our own city.  And to our young people!  The Lord spoke to His people Israel and instilled in them a sense of permanence and stability even in a time of great upheaval.  I am impressed that we must do now,  as God instructed His people then: work for the peace and prosperity of the city.  

There are many, many bright days ahead for Enterprise and the surrounding community.  Let's not grow weary in doing well.  We have been planted here for a purpose!  God is going to show off like only God can right here in our midst.  Pray for peace in our city.  Pray for the prosperity of it's people, it's businesses and it's government.  God has plans for good and not disaster for this community, to give us all a future and a hope!