that city.

God made the earth. and God made man. and ever since that time, since the instruction to be fruitful and multiply was heeded, man has gravitated to the city.

it's a staggering thought to try to imagine the beginning of a city. some man walking through a few rolling hills stabs a stake into the earth and claims his territory. soon others follow suite and surround this man's territory. soon more and more begin to live in the same vicinity. and they begin to rely upon one another for survival and profit from each others needs. using their skills to develop a community that can sustain even more inhabitants. until there are too many for them to be acquainted with everyone in the area. and there is a city.

it's like there's an inherent magnet within the body of man that pulls him closer to others.

no man is an island.

but there is something intriguing about a city. it can be altogether terrifying and exciting. it can coax or repulse a tourist. it can seem crazy and comfortable. you can stand lonely in a crowd, completely anonymous, or connect with an inviting community. there is something about a city...

and throughout history it can hardly be disproved that the events which mark the pages of the books and memories of our minds do not primarily occur within the cities of the world. it is the stage on which the acts of time are played and recalled.

the city.

it is inescapable. we look to the city.

and yet, we are looking for "the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God" (hebrews 11:10). "The city of the living God" (hebrews 12:22).

that's our journey's end.

"what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 cor. 2:9).

and we look forward to that city.