I’m still reading Jeremiah. God called Jeremiah while he was still a young man. He said, “Before you were, I knew you, I set you apart and appointed you”. Jeremiah tried to argue with God, “I’m still to young! I can’t speak for you.” But God was not having it. He simply said, go, right now!
I notice right off that Jeremiah never said to God, I don’t understand what you want me to say or where you want me to go, he just made excuses. We aren’t told how God spoke to Jeremiah, only what he said. But clearly he heard what he was supposed to hear. God also addressed the root of Jeremiah’s reluctance, fear! He said, I will protect you, but when that didn’t do it, God had to get tough, he said, now get out there and do it or I will make you lo0k foolish in front of those you are afraid of.
Hmm….It made me think about my own excuses.
√ Fear of failure.
√ I’m not sure what you want me to say.
√ I’m not really qualified.
In so many ways, I’m like Jeremiah. I’m not young, but I still struggle with many of his insecurities. If you think that the Old Testament is filled with dusty old stories we can’t relate to, I’m pretty sure you are wrong!
Lately, God’s had to get a bit tough with me just like he did with Jeremiah. So, I’ve decided to get out there and do it before God makes me look foolish. If you find me absent for a day or two, just know that I’m hanging out with Jeremiah.
Share your thoughts…