Stay in God’s Story.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.” - Jeremiah 1:5-8 ESV
Have you ever received some really poor service and demanded from the staff responsible to speak to the person in charge? By that stage you’re probably a little angry, but it gets worse when you find out that nobody’s available to take control and deal with the problem. Trying to solves a problem by phoning a call centre is a classic example, but it’s always hard to do our best when it seems like everything is out of control, and nobody is in charge.
This is frustrating enough, but what happens when you then find out that you’re being given the responsibility to deal with their mess as well as yours? God calls Jeremiah to speak His message to an obstinate and rebellious nation, and He calls him to speak to some powerful leaders who are shirking their responsibilities and rebelling against God’s word. Jeremiah’s reaction is to say “No Lord, I can’t deal with this, I’m too young”.
Perhaps we can all identify, not necessarily with being too young, but with feeling overwhelmed by challenging circumstances and feeling incapable of doing God’s work in them?
What God assures Jeremiah in response to his doubt, should encourage and direct us in times when we’re feeling inadequate. God knows us, God has a plan for our lives, and He will be with us every step of the way to equip and protect us, so that we can do whatever it is that He has planned for us to complete.
God has already written the story of our lives, we stay in His story when we do the small things obediently, like being kind, faithful, merciful, honest and compassionate. What we need, is not to be the most intelligent or powerful, just to be faithful, patient and obedient to His word. When we obey in the small things, and trust God’s goodness and power, He will take care of the big things, even those that seem totally out of our reach.
Prayer.
Dear Father God, thank You that You are in charge. Thank You that You are aware of every situation that weighs on us and our loved ones. Thank You that You have a plan and a purpose for us who have become Your children through faith in Your Son, our Lord Jesus. Please strengthen and encourage us to do the small things according to Your word, and to trust You with everything else. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Worship.
He's coming on the clouds, kings and kingdoms will bow down
And every chain will break, as broken hearts declare His praise
Who can stop the Lord Almighty?
Our God is the Lion, the Lion of Judah
He's roaring with power and fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before You
Our God is the Lamb, the Lamb that was slain
For the sin of the world, His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb
Oh every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb
So open up the gates, make way before the King of kings
Our God who calls the saved is here to set the captives free
Who can stop the Lord Almighty?
Service.
It’s not always easy to know what God’s plan and purpose for us is. Not everybody hears God’s call as clearly as Jeremiah did. While we wait for God to show us the next big step in our lives, we can keep doing what we know is right. Take some time to ask God to use you and all your abilities and resources for His plan, submit yourself to play your part in His story. Then we need to take whatever opportunities arise to do whatever is good and right according to His word, trusting that the same God who made sense of Jeremiah’s life, loves and directs the paths of every one of His children. There are so many people in need of His love and the hope that comes from Him. Perhaps that person on the other end of the call centre line has been praying for God to strengthen and encourage them, and perhaps God has equipped you to do just that.