I’m a country boy at heart. I’ve never really liked cities. As a boy I envisioned the perfect life as living in a little cabin, way back in the woods, with a sparkling stream (loaded with fish) nearby. I thought a few hound dogs was all I needed. But my perspective changed somewhat when I started dating the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I quickly decided that I didn’t really want to spend all my time alone. My views began to change, but I never truly fell in love with the idea of living in the city. Give me a little town (Norman Rockwell type) with quick access to the wooded hills.
Lately, however, I’ve had an attitude adjustment regarding cities. I started noticing that the Bible has a lot to say about cities. I was reminded of this again the other day while reading an article written by the late Ray Stedman. He said, ” Those of us who live in a city and are choked with fumes; crowded on the freeways; and exhausted with fighting taxes, crime, and crabgrass wonder why anyone would want to live a city; it is the country that is attractive to us. But the Bible indicates that God has designed that humans should ultimately live in cities.—Why? A city is always characterized by two qualities: excitment and security. Excitement is created whenever people gather together. There things are happening; that’s where the action is. Cities are also a place of security. If you are going to experience trouble, it is better to have others around. Defense is more easily possible in a city if an attack comes.”
Think about it folks. Abraham “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God”(Heb. 11:10). Our heavenly home will be a city (Rev.21:2), not a cabin in the corner of gloryland. So let’s not complain because we are forced to live in a big city with all its attendant problems. We are here for a reason. In His providence God has put us here that we might carry out the great commission. Sure we have problems. No it’s not always easy, but it’s necessary and we need to remember that. Being where God wants us to be is all that really matters. Living in a city puts us in contact with numerous people and gives us a chance to tell them about Christ. We need to think of it as an opportunity, rather than an obstacle. As Christians we have no right to seclude ourselves for the sake of seeking personal gratification. We have a work to do. Remember, Calvary wasn’t easy, but it was essential. Jesus didn’t complain about the agony of the cross and we shouldn’t complain about the discomforts of the city. We are here on a mission that is much more important than our personal comfort. Our lives all much easier than that of Paul, yet he said “I have learned , in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”(Phil.4:11).We should do the same. Remember–we’re not home yet!
