Seek the Shalom of the City

By Dr. Yalin Xin

Global urbanization is expanding in record speed, a phenomenon that we all witness in awe. Recent statistics show that, since 2000, 254 million people were added to the urban population in China alone!  The rapid and seemingly uncontrollable growth in urbanization globally, with which the “pastured land” surrounding cities are often taken as desired for the expansion of the cities, something warned against in the Scriptures (see Leviticus 25), is no doubt human deviation from the purpose of the Creator God. The abuse of the land in the name of economic growth has detrimental effect on the environment in which we live and breathe. The challenges in meeting the needs of the fast-growing urban population are enormous: basic welfare of the inhabitants such as food, shelter, education and health care, employment, community in face of social and ethnic identity crisis, infrastructure, transportation, to name a few.  

God is concerned about the cities, because “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). The biblical story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh evidence that it is the good purpose of the Creator God to redeem and renew all things, the people, the city and everything in it. As development workers, we are mandated to be stewards of God’s creation and the seekers of “the peace and prosperity of the city” (Jeremiah 29:7). 

For more reflections on the topic, you may visit WCIU Journal Vol.3 Issue 3 on "Urban Development and Ministry" @ https://wciujournal.wciu.edu/back-issues