Friends in Christ Message for August 21, 2004

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Friends in Christ Weekly Message
August 21, 2004

     The Lord said:

Jeremiah, I am your Creator, and before you were born,
I chose you to speak for me to the nations.
     I replied, "I'm not a good speaker, Lord, and I'm too young."
     "Don't say you're too young," the Lord answered. "If I tell you to go and speak to someone, then go! And when I tell you what to say, don't leave out a word! I promise to be with you and keep you safe, so don't be afraid."
     The Lord reached out his hand, then he touched my mouth and said, "I am giving you the words to say, and I am sending you with authority to speak to the nations for me. You will tell them of doom and destruction, and of rising and rebuilding again."
Jeremiah 1:4-10 (CEV*)

Jeremiah protested when the Lord told him he was to be a prophet. His reasons seemed good enough, but the Lord did not accept them. The Lord told Jeremiah that he would be given the words he needed to say.

I think most of us are inclined to the same response as Jeremiah when the Lord calls on us. Each of us is tempted to tell the Lord that we are not suited for the task.

This seems at first glance to be humble and modest, but is it really? Isn't it really telling the Lord He doesn't know what He is doing; that we know better than He does? When you think about it, it seems more like arrogance on our part.

We don't come into this world knowing how the Lord will call us. When we hear God's call,may we each humbly accept whatever the Lord has in mind for us, no matter how inadequate we may feel for the work He has set before us. May we trust that we do not need to do this work in our own strength, but that the Lord will provide whatever we need to do His work.

Bill Samuel