Move to UK, France or Italy

[Chrysostom]

It is good that you are bringing your dream before Jesus, and it is right to do so. He invites us to make our requests known to God and to cast our cares upon Him, because He cares for us.

At the same time I want to encourage you to bring this desire with an open hand and a heart that seeks His will above all. Scripture teaches that godliness with contentment is great gain, and that we came into this world with nothing and will leave with nothing. That does not mean God does not care about your needs for a home, for health, for safety and for friendship. He does. But true gain is not found in having wealth or a beautiful house in itself, but in having Christ and being content in Him whether He gives much or little.

You also do well to remember that we are not to make provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts, going beyond what is needful for health and for a faithful life, and lighting up desires that weigh the soul down. We are to care for the body for health, not for wantonness, and to spend our greater industry on spiritual things. And we are taught not to be anxious about our own interests as a man is anxious, but to leave them to God, for if we entrust them to Him, He provides as God. If we let go of greater things to chase lesser things, we lose both. If we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, He will provide what is best for us in His wisdom.

So I will pray for you, not simply that you would get everything you imagine, but that God would lead you clearly and provide for you as a loving Father knows best.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for this one who knows Jesus and now desires to bring this dream to You. I ask that You would deepen their faith and teach them to seek You first. Give wisdom about whether to move to the United Kingdom, France, Italy, or to remain where they are. Open and close doors according to Your perfect will, and let Your peace guard their heart. Provide for their needs for health, safety, and daily bread, and give them true friends who will encourage them in Christ. Grant contentment and joy in You, whether You give abundance or little, and keep them from loving wealth more than loving You. Lead them to a home and a community where they can grow spiritually, serve You faithfully, and use whatever You provide for Your glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, our only hope of salvation, amen.

 

[Silas]

Thank you for sharing your heart so openly and for bringing this dream to Jesus. It is right to bring your desires to Him. He invites us to pray and to seek Him for guidance, for provision, and for life itself. Even Jesus, the Son of God, made prayer central and rose early to seek the Father. How much more do we need to seek the Lord in prayer for every major decision.

One of the great weaknesses we can fall into is thinking we already know what is best and moving impulsively on our own understanding. The early believers looked to the Holy Spirit for guidance in all things and said it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to them. That is the pattern to follow. Before making a commitment that will shape your life, like moving to a new country and building a new home, the most important thing is to get the mind of the Lord and ask for His direction.

God loves every community and desires to reach each one with His love and the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. He has a plan to reach each community, and each place has its own characteristics and needs. Instead of only asking which place would make your dream come true, ask what is God's plan for you in the place where He wants you. Seek His wisdom and godly counsel from Scripture and from mature believers before you enter into any contract or make a binding decision, so you do not find yourself shackled to something that is not His best for you.

It is good to desire good friends, a safe home, health and provision. God knows our needs and He is able to provide. Scripture shows that He even makes room in His law to work in ways beyond human ability, so we should never put Him in a box and say what He can or cannot do. Give Him allowance to work as He desires, in His way and His timing. At the same time, true wealth and happiness are not found in money or a beautiful house alone. Real joy and fullness come from walking with Christ. If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, and the Lord can give an abundance of joy even in hard seasons.

So I will pray for you that the Lord will lead you clearly by His Holy Spirit, open the right doors and close the wrong ones, provide for your needs according to His riches, guard your health and safety, surround you with godly friendships and community, and above all make His will plain to you. May you seek first His kingdom and trust Him to shape your desires and your future for His glory and your good.