Location, location, location, a principle for more than real estate
By Dean Collins
I think the real estate developers got this right: location, location, location.
The general principle is that the location of a piece of property determines its price or value. You can certainly build a beautiful house in the middle of nowhere, but when it comes time to sell it, you might be disappointed with the financial return. The same location mantra is true for retail. Chick-fil-A, which continued this year to dominate its peers in sales, would tell you that location matters. Place a Chick-fil-A in the middle of a desert and the drive-through would simply dry up.
Placing trust
Jeremiah long ago told us that location matters when it comes to living life well. In chapter 17 the prophet gives us a lesson from the science of botany. If you are a plant in the desert, you are likely a shrub. But if planted by streams of water, a tree can flourish even in times of scarcity.
Everyone by default or deliberate choice makes a decision about where to place one’s trust. We can either place our trust in human skill or work (including our own), or we can place our confidence in the Lord. The ultimate result of this choice leads to vastly different outcomes.
Regardless of where one places their faith, there will be seasons of difficulty. Sickness, loss, death, obstacles, and drought are a part of living in a fallen world. Those who choose to follow Jesus are not immune to suffering. In fact, a careful reading of the Scriptures suggests the opposite. Jesus himself said that in this world we will have difficulty. But where we place our trust determines the resources we have to endure our challenging seasons.
Choosing to place one’s faith in self or in human ingenuity has limitations. Without question, God gave his creation amazing abilities to think, plan, and act. It’s also true that God’s desire for us includes working together. Amazing things happen in every possible area of culture when people come together and depend on each other. However, the ability and resources of man compared to the ability and resources of God are vastly different.
In seasons of prosperity, it is easy to believe we are somehow creating our success. The prophet reminds us that all resources ultimately are in God’s purview and domain.
Deluding ourselves
Part of our delusional thinking is caused by our deceitful hearts. Is there any among us who hasn’t deceived self and others at some point? If we gloss over our sin problem we increase our confidence in self and in manmade solutions. But these solutions will not stand the test of time.
When we choose to place our trust in the Lord, we tap into his unlimited resources. The byproduct of this choice reduces anxiety, gives strength during times of weakness, and results in productivity. We produce the fruits of righteousness that lead to provision for those in need and glory given to God.
The God of Heaven looks down in love wanting us to choose wisely. May God give us faith to pray with Jeremiah, “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”
Our location is secure forever when we choose to trust in our eternal King.
Your time with God’s Word
Jeremiah 17:5-10, 14 ESV
Photo by Avi Waxman on Unsplash
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