Jeremiah 29: 11-14
“For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.”
Recently, I moved back to Washington State where I spent most of my youth. It was a difficult decision as I had been living in Redding, California for ten years and made great relationship there. But, friends invited me to move with them so I decided to seek the Lord. I even had a few dreams that were negative about moving so this made the choice even more difficult. But, most of my family is in Washington and my mom is getting older. I spend a lot of time out of the country doing ministry so being closer to my mom when I’m in the states just made sense.
So, yes, after much prayer I decided to move "back to my roots" and I’m so glad that I did. As I drove to Washington my heart was overjoyed with expectation. When I arrived at what would be my new state side home my heart was elated. Port Angeles is simply beautiful! But, it was more than that. There is a great, little book, called The Alchemist by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. This is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s actually been translated into over 70 languages and said that only the Bible has sold more copies.
When I taught in China (BISU), I had all my students read it because of the value and insight the author brings forth. I encourage you to read it as well. In the story, the young man finds his treasure back where he started. As I was driving, I felt I was like this young man. He grew from his journey (especially the hard lessons) and in the end discovered much about the meaning of life. In deed he grew in wisdom from his journey. I too, like the boy who became a man, have learn so much from my journey. I'm certain you too have grown through life's peaks and valleys.
One other event took place that solidified my moving back home and that was while I was in Toronto, Canada at a leadership conference, I met another young man. This man, Nathan Young, felt compelled (by the Holy Spirit) to share with me that he was called by God to start a church in Gig Harbor, Washington (The Rock Revival Center). I laughed and shared that I went to high school in Gig Harbor and much of my family lived in the area. I also shared that I was praying about moving back and looked forward to going to his church. You see God was making my path smooth. He was preparing the way. Not only did I have a beautiful place to stay, but also I had a new church family, my own family, and I would be close to SEATAC a major international airport.
God does prepare the way for us and He does give us “a future and a hope.” When we seek Him and trust Him by stepping out in faith – He will not only show us the way, but He will also give us more than we could ask or hope for (Ephesians 3:20). Don’t be surprised if He moves you back to your roots. Perhaps the treasure you are seeking may be where you began.