My teenage years were split between two towns: Kerrville and Corpus Christi, Texas. One was a small retirement town, while the other was a coastal town on the way to nowhere. Neither had a great music scene. Both experienced the brain drain of young people leaving as soon as they graduated high school and college. And most of my friends couldn’t wait to get out of the towns. Their dreams were of Dallas, New York City, Los Angeles… Anywhere but “here”.
I find that to be a common theme among young people—even people my age. They think they’ll finally be able to pursue their dreams and love their life if they just live in the right city. And while there might be some truth to that, I believe anyone can thrive in their current city. That you don’t have to wait until you find the right hometown to enjoy your life.
Here are a few ways I think it’s possible to love the city where you live.
1. Go where the tourists go.
There are people who visit your city for a reason. And while those tourists might be annoying to be around, going where they go can help you gain an appreciation for your city. I personally hate going to the Riverwalk or Alamo here in San Antonio because of the crowds. But every time I go to those places, I gain a new appreciation for my city. Then I seek out the other places that are lesser known like the Pearl Brewery and Blue Star. It further solidifies the awesome features of my city that are unlike others.
I don’t care how depressing your city might seem, there are cool places in it. Go out of your way to find them and you might just find yourself loving where you live.
2. Identify something only your city has.
A couple of days ago I was walking on a trail by my house lamenting the hot weather we were experiencing. While other people were getting to wear jackets, I was walking outdoors in my shorts in the middle of December.
I realized though, that at that same moment there were people up north hating their lives bundled up by their furnaces. They were wishing they could do the things I was doing: laying out in the hammock and grilling steaks.
Those things that you wish you could change about your city… Sometimes those are things you can begin to appreciate. You can realize other people wish they experienced what you experienced. What if you started looking at those as features of your city instead of negatives?
3. Discover a community need and help solve it.
One of the fastest ways to get a heart for your city is to invest in it. I’m not just talking about throwing money at a problem, but actually getting involved in the mud of the situation.
What does your community need?
Big picture? They need Jesus.
But what are some simple needs the community experiences? Graffiti problem? Poverty? Lack of vision?
Figure out a way to contribute to the solution of those problems. Get your hands dirty in the hearts of those within your community. You’ll not only gain a love for the people of your city, but also the city as a whole. Not to mention, you’ll actually be fulfilling the purpose for which God has put you in that city in the first place!
I believe anyone can love the city where they live. It just requires a change of perspective.
Do you love your city? What do you love about it? Share in a comment below.