Susan LaffertyExiles in Babylon.
God’s Word to them felt deeply personal to us. During a particularly violent and unsettling season.
People were leaving our city. Families sent back to their home countries. Anti-American sentiment had ramped up more than ever.
Should we leave?
At one point my dad—who never, ever tried to interfere or direct us in any way—wrote “In my daily Bible study I keep seeing the words, ‘Flee Babylon…flee Babylon.” (Jeremiah 49:30; 50:8,16; 51:6)
In our first meeting, I describe to the new believer how a follower of Jesus sets aside time and space every day. For focused communion with the Lord.
This conversation on abiding continues each time we meet.
We talk about the soul’s need for daily food from the Truth of Scripture.
And how to come before Him with mind and heart open to His Word.
Early in my adolescent years, Mom remarked, “If Dad said the sky was blue, you would say it’s green.” Her words stand out in my mind.
Although I most likely protested (duh), inside I knew she was right. As I grew, maturity glossed over that stubbornness.
But pride still hovered close to the surface.
I was 29 when I married Todd and 33 when our first child was born. Suddenly a lot of “set in my ways” was unset and upset.
Then we arrived in Pakistan in 1992.
