How to be a good witness in a modern, multicultural society

Christians may be in the minority, but we can still work for the good of wherever we are, says Sam Brown. If we do so, we’ll bring God’s shalom to a disillusioned and hurting world this Lent

Around 600 BC, things weren’t going well for God’s people. Invasion, occupation and deportation at the hands of the Babylonians made for a truly dark period for Israel. For the people being exiled, this would have felt like the end of their national story, possibly even of God’s goodness. Scattered across the surrounding nations, they were struggling to keep trusting him.

They were strangers in a foreign land. To a degree, we might be able to relate. Although - by God’s grace - we’re still safe and secure in a country built on Christian principles, in our workplaces, friendship groups and even families, people with an active faith in God are often in the minority.

With that in mind, we can read the words of Jeremiah 29:5–9, offered to these exiles, and find wisdom for our own lives today. Here’s two key learnings.