Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.” {Jeremiah 1:4-6}
I’m working my way through the book of Jeremiah right now, and from the get-go God has been pushing me.
Out of my comfort zone.
Away from the view I’ve carried of myself.
Forward into His vision for my future.
Far too often I look at the path ahead and think, “No way. That’s not for me.” The obstacles seem insurmountable; I’m unqualified, lacking funding, inexperienced or more.
I’m sure Jeremiah felt much the same way when he received the call of the Lord. God was commissioning Jeremiah to “pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant,” the nation of Judah. God’s assurances to Jeremiah that the people would fight against him, but not overcome him don’t seem all that comforting.
What God was really saying to Jeremiah was, “I’ve got you.”
Doesn’t that seem much more reassuring? The realization of this, related to our calling, means that we are not speaking on our own authority, relying on our own means or working out of our own strength. It’s all on God.
I love this about God’s calling on our life; cause we all have one, right? Each of us plays a unique part in the divine plan of God. Thankfully, God doesn’t require us to prepare ourselves for it. Instead, once we are called and moving forward in obedience, He provides the equipment we need!
What do you feel God’s calling is on your life?
Are you leaning on your own abilities and resources,
or relying on God’s strength to see you through?
0 Responses
“No way. That’s not for me.” – my feelings exactly sometimes. Grateful that God is slowly refining me to take more risks, be courageous, and just trust.
Refining…good word! People always talk about God’s refining, but forget that the refining process involves heat, purification, a stripping away. The fact that you are grateful through that shows just how much you are trusting Him to see you through. 🙂
whoa. just wrote a post on this very thing… linking out to yours when it goes live 🙂
Isn’t that crazy?! I love it when God does that! 🙂 Look forward to reading yours…
OK, first of all, we used this passage in one of our assignments last week, so I’ve totally been reflecting on it already. Also, in the same assignment we looked at the passage of Moses at the Burning Bush.
Exodus 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[b] will worship God on this mountain.”
Just like you latched onto in Jeremiah’s calling, we have the same idea here in Exodus – “I will be with you.”
I always find it so encouraging when God is teaching me and my friends similar things about Himself – even if we’re miles apart and going through vastly different circumstances. Always a good reminder that we serve a great, big God!
I love this!! I too find it so encouraging that others are learning the same lessons I am, makes me feel less foolish. Haha! Just kidding. I agree though, we do serve a great, big God who is intimately involved with His people. I thought about Moses as I read that passage. He was so reluctant to do what God called him to. Actually, there’s a lot of people who were reluctant to obey God’s calling: Jonah, Joshua, Moses, Jeremiah, even Timothy seemed to struggle with it. That’s encouraging to me, because it shows that God can use any and all to fulfill His purposes, so if He calls us to something that seems overwhelming we know He will equip us for it. 🙂
On a side note: it makes me happy that you’re in classes again. 🙂
I know what God’s call is and I’m totally leaning into Him for it because I can’t do it on my own!
Amen! And the results will be outstanding! 🙂 I have really enjoyed following your Mustard Seed Year posts.
Trusting feelings or trusting God… that’s always the struggle. He made us and He knows us. What He speaks is as good as gold (refined in the fire). I’m glad He’s got me. Thanks Melissa.
Thanks for commenting, Jason! 🙂 You always add to the conversation.
This is such an inspiring post! Father has taken me places this year that have been very difficult and I must admit at times I didnt go very willingly but I am learning and trusting that He has plans are not always my own. This is hard.
It is hard! But I have found, over and over, that the end result is so rewarding! 🙂 Thanks for your comment, Heather.
Thanks for the wonderful reminder; I really needed that today! 🙂
Glad I could pass it along to you! 🙂
wow. . .was just praying about this same concept as i was driving home. speaking aloud ‘God i know You know even though i dont. i know You understand even though i don’t. and i know You’ve got it. . .” so beautiful. . .and so thankful He promises us this. because even on our darkest night we can know He’s doesn’t only have our circumstances, He has us. . .
I love when I find out that God is speaking the same word to others in my community. 🙂
I can’t stop thinking of Third Day’s “I Got You”. Love that song! And it ties in so nicely to what you’re communicating here, Melissa. 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfSszqJng3A
I have often thought about how “I’m just gonna totally screw up God’s plan”. But, I love this quote someone once said to me: “God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.” Awesomesauce. He doesn’t give me a calling because I’m good at something. It’s actually quite the opposite. He calls me, because I’m not particularly good at it, and any way that I do become good at it is evidence of His work in my life.
That’s a great quote! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂 And, I love how you always share a song with me. Thanks, Keri!
feel like God created me to encourage women and i do love reading when other women are doing the same…AWESOME post!
Thanks, Steph. I love to encourage others, and I have definitely found some great encouragement from other women online. 🙂