No Place Like Home
I noticed an article in the Post last week identifying the ten wealthiest counties in America, seven of which are located in the Washington, D.C. area. Arlington apparently has jumped from fifth to third in the latest list. Nothing really new about that. I read that in two other categories Arlington ranks #1. This is the county with the highest average property value in the nation, again no surprise to those paying such high rental or mortgage payments. In addition, Arlington is the most well-educated county in America with the highest percentage of residents with college, graduate, and post-graduate degrees.
Another interesting characteristic of Arlington is that so many of us are from someplace else, all over the country and the world. I would bet that our native Virginians make up a minority here in Arlington as the capital draws all kinds of people from all kinds of places. What a unique culture, what a remarkable melting pot of people coming together in Northern Virginia.
I'm not sure what you make of all this, but for those of us who live here in Arlington, there really is no place like home. It's a one of a kind place to live and work and a unique place to serve and minister as the people of God.
So, how do we live out the Gospel in a place like this? How can we be the Church with conscience and credibility? What does it mean to be faithful to Christ right here, right now? These are the questions that we must answer as a church, as God's restless Spirit stirs and leads us on. As I finished the article in the newspaper I thought of these ancient words from the prophet:
Another interesting characteristic of Arlington is that so many of us are from someplace else, all over the country and the world. I would bet that our native Virginians make up a minority here in Arlington as the capital draws all kinds of people from all kinds of places. What a unique culture, what a remarkable melting pot of people coming together in Northern Virginia.
I'm not sure what you make of all this, but for those of us who live here in Arlington, there really is no place like home. It's a one of a kind place to live and work and a unique place to serve and minister as the people of God.
So, how do we live out the Gospel in a place like this? How can we be the Church with conscience and credibility? What does it mean to be faithful to Christ right here, right now? These are the questions that we must answer as a church, as God's restless Spirit stirs and leads us on. As I finished the article in the newspaper I thought of these ancient words from the prophet:
23 This is what the Lord says:“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV)
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