Jeremiah sent a letter to the Israelites taken into captivity, to guide and encourage them, and give them hope. They were instructed to live their lives, to build houses, get married, have kids, and not to be deceived by false prophets, knowing that they would only be in Babylon for 70 years. God had “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God promised to hear them when they call upon him and pray to Him.
The same advice can apply to us. We are effectively in exile, strangers and pilgrims in a world that is not ours. Buying houses, getting married and having kids is also a part of our lives, but we too need to ensure we don’t lose sight of the future promise of redemption. We are called to be brothers and sisters of Christ, “for whoever does the will of God, he is [Christ]’s brother and sister and mother.”