Jonah 4:11 (NIV): And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
I live in the Kansas City metropolitan area that has a population of over 2.2 million people. Specifically I live in Kansas City, Kansas with a population of over 150,000 people. This is the largest metropolitan area I have ever lived in.
It is easy for me to ignore the city. Even though I live in the city limits, my property is basically out in the country. From my home I cannot see any other buildings. In a sense I am insulated from any city “problems” by trees and fields. The city has problems: homelessness, poverty, addictions.
Jonah didn’t like the city of Nineveh. He ran away from it initially. But God had compassion on that city. God sent Jonah to share a message and the people of Nineveh repented. I believe that God continues to love cities. Well over half of the current world population lives in cities. God loves all the people who live there.
I am challenged. I believe that God wants me not to just live in the city limits. I have recently established a “ministry fund,” above and beyond my tithe, to be able to start responding with the resources that God has blessed me with.
But I am feeling called to give more than just money. He desires all of me to commit to the needs of those around me, especially in my own city. That requires my time, my energy, and my compassion.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your compassion for cities. I commit to join You. I commit to be a tool used by You to address any issue with Your love. May I embrace how You can use me to help others and love my neighbors in the city.
