在我们人生中，其中一段最美好的日子，是我们住在芝加哥南部的时候，那时我们刚建立家室。我们是荷兰裔美国人，居住在主要是非洲裔美国人的小区里。刚搬去不久，我就很快在后院开垦了一块空地作为菜园。我首先想到的是，我们可以享受自己种植的农产品，也可以省不少钱。
如果你曾经离开你的家人亲属、朋友，以及你称为家的地方，迁往很远的地方居住，你就多少知道一点被流放的感觉。然而最终，你要下定决心去爱这个新环境，甚至在这里落地生根。
耶利米这封信的对象犹大百姓，都是被迫流亡的。他们被掳到巴比伦这个大的帝国城市。当年耶路撒冷熟悉的环境，成为他们痛惜的记忆。所以当耶利米对他们说这话时，他们第一个反应可能是又吃惊又不快的。
又大又不熟悉的城市常常被描述为残酷与邪恶的化身——那是家的反面。可奇怪的是，在这样的地方，神告诉祂的百姓要“盖造房屋，住在其中。栽种田园，吃其中所产的。” 我们在芝加哥的菜园使得我们能够越过栅栏，与邻居对话及分享我们的农产品。其中带来的祝福，临到了众多的人。
全能的主，求祢使我们被栽种在各个地方，在那里成为带着祢的影响力的使者。求祢带领我们进入能转化我们及他人生命的关系中。奉耶稣的名祷告。阿们。
耶利米书 29:1-9
1先知耶利米从耶路撒冷寄信与被掳的祭司、先知，和众民，并生存的长老，就是尼布甲尼撒从耶路撒冷掳到巴比伦去的。（
2这在耶哥尼雅王和太后、太监，并犹大、耶路撒冷的首领，以及工匠、铁匠都离了耶路撒冷以后。）
3他藉沙番的儿子以利亚萨和希勒家的儿子基玛利的手寄去。他们二人是犹大王西底家打发往巴比伦去见尼布甲尼撒王的。
4信上说：“万军之耶和华－以色列的神对一切被掳去的（就是我使他们从耶路撒冷被掳到巴比伦的人）如此说：
5你们要盖造房屋，住在其中；栽种田园，吃其中所产的；
6娶妻生儿女，为你们的儿子娶妻，使你们的女儿嫁人，生儿养女。在那里生养众多，不致减少。
7我所使你们被掳到的那城，你们要为那城求平安，为那城祷告耶和华；因为那城得平安，你们也随着得平安。
8万军之耶和华－以色列的神如此说：不要被你们中间的先知和占卜的诱惑，也不要听信自己所做的梦；
9因为他们托我的名对你们说假预言，我并没有差遣他们。这是耶和华说的。
"Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce... Increase in number there; do not decrease." — Jeremiah 29:5-6
One of the best years of our life as a young family was when we lived on the south side of Chicago. We were Dutch-Americans living in a mostly African-American neighborhood. As soon as possible after moving in, I dug up part of the backyard and planted a garden. My first thought was for the produce we would enjoy—and the money we would save.
If you have ever lived far away from extended family, friends, and the place you have called home, you know a little of what it feels like to live in exile. And at some point you must decide to embrace your new surroundings and put down roots.
The Jewish people to whom Jeremiah wrote the words in this letter were in forced exile. They were carried off to the big imperial city of Babylon. The familiar surroundings of Jerusalem became a mournful memory. Jeremiah's words to them, at first, probably sounded startling and offensive.
Big, unfamiliar cities are often portrayed as harsh and evil—the opposite of places we call home. Curiously, though, in such places God tells his people to "build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce." Our Chicago garden also led to over-the-fence conversations and sharing produce with our neighbors. And blessings were multiplied to all.
Lord Almighty, open us up to being planted in places where we can be agents of your influence. Lead us into relationships that will transform us and others. In Jesus, Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
