Jeremiah 1:5-8 NIV
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
I am, too (insert insecurity), a limitation the world, the enemy, and even our minds place on us, limiting God.
Too young, old, scared, weak, fat, sick, dumb, poor, broken, far gone
Labels that are not the identity God called us. God has plans for us. Don’t limit his mighty hand with names that describe a current state that has nothing to do with what God can do through you for others, His glory, and transforming us in it all. God can use anyone! Better yet, God knows you, your strengths and weaknesses, your purpose, and His plan for you before you become flesh.
We will no longer be too much of anything, definitely not too much for God. His grace and character are steadfast and sufficient, and God’s power is made perfect in our “too muchness.” He is an Incomparable God. Nothing is hard for him, and his hand isn’t short to save (Isaiah 59:1). Be still, take a deep breath, and don’t run from your calling, even if it’s baby steps. God is with you and never leaves you, but don’t leave Him because of fear. Practice obedience to his word and have a loving, humble heart. Pray for it and ask that it’ll be put into practice every day, and God will give you so much more than you ask or can imagine through your purpose, because many are called, but few are chosen, so don’t live too comfortably! The transformation in you and your relationship with God is the gift of living. Not surviving, getting by, and comfort with temporary satisfaction, but a righteous lifestyle leads to life for eternity. Living no matter what circumstance you’re in; if you’re obedient to the Lord, you’ll have peace, gratefulness, and contentment. Not false positivity, temporary pleasure, or false confidence. Let God lead; things will be hard, but so much easier if God remains consistently at the center of your life.
Let us pray
Thank you, Jesus, we come before you humbly, contrite in spirit, and ask for obedience. Help us be obedient to you, Abba God, for your ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts. Give us wisdom, guidance, and discernment for your instruction and obedience to the plan you have for us. Thank you that we are chosen, anointed, and set apart by you, your mighty hand; what an honor. Thank you for the purpose you have for us. Even if we’re uncertain, anything you do is always enough, even when we feel like we’re not. Help us not misguide the blessings you give us in vanity, fear, laziness, unrepentance, and unmotivation, and forgive us for the times we have done so. Help us be a vessel for you so we can glorify and tell all of your love in our actions and speech. Help us not to adhere to the labels the world gives and the ones we give ourselves, allowing us to limit your provision for us. We are not too much of anything for you; shower us in love, and let us walk in the identity that we have in Christ. Thank you for knowing us, in and out. Thank you for working with us, no matter what circumstances we’re in, not working against us, and still loving us at all stages. Thank you, Jesus, for letting us know we have nothing to fear when we are with you, and we can rest in you, and your power made perfect in our insecurities. Thank you, Abba; we pray according to Jeremiah 1, may it be so, amen.
Reflection Questions
- During the times you felt inadequate, how has God used you in ways that surpassed your views of yourself?
- How does knowing that God knows you and has a plan for your life before you were born deepen your trust and intimacy in your relationship with him?
- How can this encourage you to embrace God’s purpose and calling over your life, even when you feel unqualified?