06: Formational Vocation
"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."
(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Date: 586-570 BC
Writer: Jeremiah (a Prophet)
The Context
Jerusalem fell to Babylon in 587 BC. During the invasion, Babylon destroyed the city walls, the palace, the temple, and killed many people. It is estimated that approximately 20,000 people were exiled in Babylon. The exilic period was a time of longsuffering and disruption, as the fabric of their daily life was destroyed, Additionally, the period spurred questions of "where is God?" as the people of God felt as if God had forgotten about them.
The Book
No other prophetic book in the Old Testament gives as much biographical information about its namesake. In Jeremiah's youth, Jeremiah is called to be a prophet, he protests, but God insists. God looked into Jeremiah's heart, saw his fear, and spoke to it. His task is both destructive and constructive. His words, "not only participate in the dismantling of Judah but exert their inexorable power over other nations and kingdoms as well." The story arc focuses on Jeremiah's call, divine promise and warning, judgment, conflict, restoration, and prophetic oracles to the competing empires of the time (Egypt and Babylon). Jeremiah's life in itself is a symbol of demise and restoration, as people gain hope from his fidelity and suffering.
The Text
In Chapter 29, the book shifts to focus on "Israel's destiny of redemption beyond the disaster of the nation's destruction." It is important to note here that God is speaking to Israel in exile in Babylon, and instructing them to thrive, stay focused, multiply, and not be deceived by their environment. Within a season of hardship and suffering, the community was surrounded by false prophets offering promises of quick resolution. Jeremiah wrote to warn the community against such false prophets, and ensure them that God has a plan and desired end, albeit it was not a quick, immediate response. He knows exactly how long they are going to be there before they are released and restored.
The Relevance
Although Verse 11 was actually written to undergird the exilic community, it is common to interpret it as a personal message, not only in times of trouble, but as it pertains to vocation. Although chaos was surrounding Jeremiah, God also had a plan for him and called him in the midst of the storm. Thus why this text is a guiding light within the formational journey -- it instructs us how to walk with fortitude as we seek to live more like Jesus. Sometimes, walking with God can feel quite uncomfortable, even lonely, like you are on a journey in a foreign land by yourself. But, this text instructs us to stay strong, focused and thrive, with promise of restoration. It also strengthens us to stay focused on our purpose. No matter the circumstances, there is always hope and a future.
The Witness
After a few years of walking in my formational journey, with God's love healing all of the internal places of my being, I was ready to figure out my path. But, I was struggling to make a decision. I knew I wanted to go back to school, but my left brain was telling me to do something practical, and my right brain was whispering about seminary - which to be honest made absolutely no sense to me at the time.
At first, the left side won. After all, I worked at a law firm -- everybody was all grounded and happy and stable, so why not? I knocked out the LSAT and did a semester of law school. It took me probably about two days to realize that I had chosen the wrong path. I was still hungry. Law school taught me one thing -- that God's law is more important to me than man's law.
The internal argument persisted, however the voice in my right brain was growing increasingly louder, until one day it thundered so clearly in my spirit that I could no longer ignore it. So, I prayed. I said, "Lord, I am struggling with this decision. If it's okay, I'm going to apply to seminary and a MBA program. If I'm not supposed to go to the MBA program, please don't let me get in, so I can just let it go." And...guess who got waitlisted for the first time ever in life!
So, off to seminary I went (with a scholarship!). Unbeknownst to me, this was my first step towards divine alignment and vocation -- the place where work and calling merge. Along the formational journey, you'll find that obedience goes a long way. "To obey is better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22 KJV) So I was obedient. Ten years later into this journey, here we are.
Resources
Attridge, The HarperCollins Study Bible
Gaventa, The New Interpreter's Bible One Volume Commentary
Harrelson, The New Interpreter's Study Bible
Powell, The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary