A little while later I was getting ready to read my Bible and decide that I would start reading through Jeremiah. I am trying to become more familiar with the Old Testament and just finished reading Isaiah, so Jeremiah seemed like a good book to read next. I started reading chapter one and verses 4-8 really jumped out at me.
Now the word of the Lord came to me:
I chose you before I formed you in the womb;
I set you apart before you were born.
I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
But I protested, "Oh no, Lord, God! Look, I don't know how to speak since I am [only] a youth."
Then the Lord said to me:
Do not say, "I am [only] a youth."
For you will go to everyone I send you to
and speak whatever I tell you.
Do not be afraid of anyone,
For I will be with you to deliver you.
[This is] the Lord's declaration.
After reading these verses I grabbed my phone and went back to the quote I had just read and saved it.
Today's society is full or rules and qualifications for who can do what. You have to have specific training, have a license, have so many years of experience, etc. before you can do a task or have a specific job. I think this culture makes us feel unqualified to do the work God sets in from of us. Just like Jeremiah, I have felt unqualified to do what God has called me to. I am young and lack experience and wisdom. I'm not prepared for the jobs God has for me.
Well friends, the fact of the matter is that no one is fully prepared for the tasks God puts in front of them. Have you ever completed one of God's tasks without any difficulties? Din't think so! It just doesn't work that way. We might not be fully prepared to do a task, but it is okay, because God is there to help us. He doesn't give us a task and then say "be back in a week, you had better have it done!" NO! God gives us a task and then says, "I'm going to help you get this done." God reminds me of an employer who says to you, "I will teach you everything you need to know to do your job." No experience needed.
Jeremiah was trying to tell God that he couldn't do what God had told him to do because he was young. God told Jeremiah that he could do what He had called him to, because He was going to be there every step of the way. The next thing God told Jeremiah is something we all need to remember. God gave Jeremiah three simple steps:
1. Go to everyone I send you to.
2. Speak whatever I tell you.
3. Do not be afraid, because I am with you.
Can you imagine the great things God could do through us if we remembered these three things? We would be changing the world! Instead, many of us find ourselves making a list of excuses for why we can't do what God has called us to. We don't time, we don't have money, we aren't good at communicating, we have other stuff to do, and the list goes on. If we would only trust God's promise that He will be there with us, we could start doing great things for God.
I don't want to stand before God one day and say "Sorry God, I didn't have the qualifications to do the tasks you gave me." Do you?
Away with the excuses! Start trusting God that He will help us through each and every task He sets before us.
Say YES to God!
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