Our reading today starts with the Lord giving Jeremiah a message. My Bible has a heading at the beginning of verse 4 that says, “Jeremiah’s Call.” God starts first by speaking identity into Jeremiah, saying that “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5). God is telling Jeremiah his purpose, to be a prophet to the nations.
Where do you feel God calling you to go?
Jeremiah quickly goes into making excuses saying, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” (Jeremiah 1:6) …
What is your reaction to your call?
Jeremiah makes excuses and God shuts those down very quickly, saying “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you” (Jeremiah 1:7).
For me, much like Jeremiah, I have found myself making excuses and having doubts, questioning God’s plan for me. When I got offered my job at Hope, I was still finishing my under grad at Iowa State and I literally think I asked them, “Are you sure I’m not too young?”… If I would have listened to my own excuses and doubts, then I probably would not be here today…
We make excuses. We doubt ourselves. We question God’s plan.
God tells Jeremiah and he is saying it to us today too… “You must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you” (Jeremiah 1:7).
We make excuses. God makes a way. We doubt ourselves. God speaks identity into our call. We question God’s plan. God reveals to us his faithfulness.
Where is God calling you to go? Are you making excuses or are you going? Let’s join in God’s mission together as a church family! We are better together! Answer the call!