How did you decide where to live? Perhaps you’ve stayed in one community for your entire life, or you’ve lived all over the world. Ray Bakke, co-author of City Signals Leader Kit, asks, “Does God care only about people, or does he also care about places, including cities?” God cares about places. Scripture identifies specific places as much as it identifies specific people. And when those places are mentioned, we discover that God is exceedingly aware of the people who live there, including every need they face, whether it is physical, social, or spiritual. God cares about places.

Most of us choose our place to live based on comfort, value of location, safety, school systems, retirement plans, extended family and the list goes on. Most of us, if we can afford it, and if we are free to do it, flee from the places where life is not easy. We do not want to live where poverty is visible, crime is high, and beauty is not evident. Scripture does not give weight to these approaches regarding where we live. Consider how often the Lord sent His people away from family, away from security, away from luxury, and to the places where people needed a word from the Lord.

Have you noticed how often church members vote to move the location of their meeting place when the community begins to change, when the “neighbors” aren’t like them anymore, or the homes begin to transition into ghettos? Bakke suggests that such decisions may seem practical, but in fact, are theological. God cares where we live and where our churches meet. He wants us in those places where the needs are great. If His people aren’t willing to be there, then who is going to be His hands and heart to those in great need?

How did you make the decision to live where you live? Encourage others to risk following God by sharing your story in the comment section. We are giving a free copy of City Signals Leader Kit to the first 10 who tell their stories.