Waiting In The Exile
Here's the profound truth: God isn't asking us to merely endure our exile; He's inviting us to engage fully with our present reality - Waiting In The Exile- Jessica Broadway
Waiting In The Exile- Christian Encouragement
Have you ever felt stuck in life's waiting room? That space between where you are and where you thought you'd be? What if I told you it was because you were in "exile" – not physically banished, but because you feel spiritually and emotionally displaced from where you think you should be?
Recently, I've been diving deep into Jeremiah's words to the Israelites, and the famous quote in Jeremiah 29:11, and what I discovered might surprise you. It's not just about waiting for deliverance; it's about thriving right where you are, so I wanted to share it with you in hopes it might bring you some encouragement and endurance for the season you are in.
But first, let me frame up the word exile for you and help bring some context to what exile means for us. The Oxford dictionary defines the word exile is defined as "the state of being barred from one's native country. Typically for political or punitive reasons." This can be a challenge to connect with, many of us do not know what it's like to be barred from our homes, but what we do often experience is a sense of being "barred" from our next season of life- praying God will change our circumstances or the people we spend time with, SO THAT... we can (insert the result you want). We also have likely felt that feeling of being disconnected emotionally, spiritually and physically. In an attempt to better connect this concept, I created an emotional definition for the word Exile. (don't report me to oxford :)
Emotional Exile:A feeling of displacement mentally and emotionally due to circumstances beyond your control; While experiencing an abundance of things you wish were better, more or different about life. May be described as "waiting for this season to pass" or "feeling stuck"
Do you have "The Exile Mindset"
We all have areas in our lives where we're waiting for something to be "better, more, or different. The area that your are just waiting on God to "fix it already" Maybe it's:
A career transition that seems endless
A relationship that needs healing
A dream that feels perpetually out of reach
A state of health that seems overwhelming
Most of us respond by trying to push through, right? We pray, we read motivational scriptures, we talk to friends—essentially, we attempt to test God instead of trusting Him.
Yeah, I’ve been there. And the crazy thing? I didn’t even realize I was doing it. It snuck up on me like my youngest trying to scare me for the hundredth time. I was testing God by failing to trust Him.
You might be thinking, but how, isn't motivation a good thing?
I’ve always loved motivation. I mean, who doesn’t? It gives us that extra push to move forward. But here’s the thing:
if you’re waiting to be motivated, you might be waiting a long time.
Motivation is fleeting. It’s based on emotions and circumstances. And when we’re in exile, seeking motivation can become another way we test God. We start looking for external signs to keep going instead of trusting in His faithfulness.
A Fresh Look at Jeremiah 29:11
Let’s talk about a verse many of us cling to:
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
I’ve held onto this verse countless times. It’s a beautiful promise. But, if I’m honest, I’ve also read it and thought,
Well, if Your plan is to prosper me, why don’t I feel very ‘prospery’?
That kind of thinking? It’s a slippery slope into testing God’s performance in our lives.
We tell ourselves,
"I’ll trust God when my situation improves.I’ll get to work when I have more resources.I’ll step forward when my circumstances change." But that’s not how trust works.
Let’s rewind a few verses and see what God actually told His people in exile:
The Surprising Command
Here's where God throws us a beautiful curveball. In Jeremiah 29:4-7, before the famous "plans to prosper you" verse, God gives some unexpected instructions to Jeremiah for His people:
Jeremiah 29:4-7
“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:
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.”
Wait… Pray for the city you’re exiled to? Instead of waiting around for things to get better, God told them to fully live where they were.
That is what trusting God over testing Him looks like.
God is so faithful that He provides a way for us to prosper—even in exile. But we have to be willing to do the work.
So, What Do We Do in Our Exile?
You might not have all the answers. There may be uncertainty and a whole lot of unknowns. But guess what? You’re not responsible for figuring all that out.
You’re responsible for what comes next.
God’s instruction:
Build
Plant
Grow
Pray for your current situation (prosper)
The Divine Plot Twist
Here's the profound truth: God isn't asking us to merely endure our exile; He's inviting us to engage fully with our present reality. This isn't about passive waiting; it's about active living. He is asking us to trade motivation for endurance.
If that’s hard to hear, I get it. But here’s another promise to hold onto:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6
Instead of seeking motivation to push you forward, ask God to change the desires of your heart for the season you’re in. Ask Him for wisdom to stay present instead of being stuck in the past or anxiously waiting for the future.
What Does Surrender Look Like?
Because “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord.
Surrender is in the “I have for you” - accepting that deliverance is in His plans, not ours.
So instead of relying on motivation to get you through, seek encouragement and endurance.
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
Trade your motivation for encouragement. Trade your waiting for endurance. Live seeking wisdom, and find ways to lend strength to others along the way.
The Real Promise
The emphasis of Jeremiah 29:11 isn't on our plans for a better future, but on God's plans for our present. The reminder that even in exile, His plans are NOT to harm us. The prosperity He promises might look different than we expect - it might be found in the very place we're trying to escape. What would it look like if you stopped waiting for exile to end and started building right where you are? How might your perspective shift if you viewed your current situation not as a waiting room, but as a workshop?
Remember, the same God who led His people through exile is faithfully leading you. Sometimes the path to prosperity runs straight through the heart of exile. You are not alone in your exile. And you are not forgotten.
God is faithful. Even here. Even now.
Here's a few practical steps for thriving in your exile:
Accept Your Present: Stop waiting for "someday" to start living
Build Where You Are: Invest in your current circumstances, what CAN you do? Build your "home" and surrender the future. What would it look like to build a home in this current season?
Pray for Your "City": Find ways to contribute to your present situation, prayer, share and build a community.
Seek Wisdom Over Answers: Ask God for discernment rather than quick fixes, seek Him in the everyday moment that seem insignificant- He will meet you there.
Choose Endurance Over Motivation: Build lasting strength instead of chasing temporary inspiration. Endurance is empowering, motivation "feels good" very often we find ourselves only chasing things that feel good, think about what would give you lasting endurance and equip you for the season you are in.
