Have you ever heard the phrase “_________ is its own place”?
Bangor, Pennsylvania is its own place. I have even referred to it as Planet
Bangor…that title I have used in jest, in angst, and in love for it. This city has a city feel, yet it only
boasts a population of around 6,000 people. It has been described as rural and urban, and neither term
is appropriate. It has a vibe, a
rhythm, a quirky groove that is all its own. It has surprised me, frustrated me, and impressed me many
times over the last few years. It
has become our home, our town, our place.
That is about to change.
Every place is its own place, and you can see that as an
asset, as something to embrace, or you can use that in derision, keeping your community at a distance as you write it off. I have done both, mostly the latter.
Places matter to God. Not just "holy" ones. All places. Even out-of-the-way, middle-of-the-dessert places (See Jacob, Moses, Jesus, et cetera). Places that are too far-gone (See Nineveh). Hole-in-the-wall places (See Bethlehem). Maybe even the place you find yourself in.
“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” _Luke 17.20-21
The kingdom of God is right here, right now. It is wherever people experience the love of God in the life of Jesus. It is poking through, seeping in, breaking out in dark places all over this planet all of the time. I am constantly surprised by the places God shows up in the Scripture, and constantly surprised by His insistence that every place belongs to him.
Bangor belongs to God.
Siouxland belongs to God.
_________ belongs to God.
I am excited to relearn the quirks, needs, and identity of a new place, and what the good news of the kingdom of God in Siouxland looks like.
Oh, and if you need any evidence that Sioux City is its own place, look no further (I still have trouble believing this is real...it is very real):
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