“This is what God says to all those exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: ‘Build houses and settle down in them; plant gardens and eat what you grow in them.  . . . For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for your good, not for your harm, to give you a future and a hope.’”

Jeremiah 29:4-5,11

Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:

• This passage from Jeremiah the Prophet, often titled, “A Letter to the Exiles,” acknowledges difficult conditions and circumstances while still offering assurance and hope for the future.
• We may feel exiled when we sense that we do not fit in somewhere or are not doing the things that fulfill us most, even when they seem “right.”
• Master Teacher Emmet Fox reminds us: “Your True Place is the place where God intends you to be” in your life.  In comparison, he says: “Your Right Place in life is the place you are actually in at the moment, whether it is pleasing to you or not.”
• We often can discern our right from our true by noticing what feels God-guided, energizing, healthy, and hopeful for us.

Contemplation Questions:

Ask yourself:

• In which aspects of my life do I currently feel unsettled or uprooted?
  • List, word map, or illustrate as much as applies, no matter how small or insignificant they seem.  

• In which aspects of my life do I currently feel grounded and strong?
  • List, word map, or illustrate as much as applies, no matter how small or insignificant they seem.

• When I compare these aspects, which are right and which are true?

• List, word map, or illustrate these, allowing one (1) section for right and one (1) section for true.

• As I reflect on my right and my true, what can I do to deconstruct any aspects of the right that hinder my building and/or planting the true?

• Without judging or analyzing, list, word map, or illustrate everything you can imagine.

• Honoring that this process requires patience and perseverance, what steps do I need to take to discover, build and/or plant my true?

• Freely list, word map, or illustrate the steps, adjusting their order as needed for your process.

• Who is at least one (1) close friend, family member, or colleague who can encourage and support me in my discernment, building and/or planting?

• Set a schedule for regular prayer time and check-ins with this person. 

Take as much time as you need with this devotional, being honest and gentle with yourself as you discern which is your right place — where you are now — and your true place — where you want to be.

© 2021 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.