Focus

Be still and rest in the Lord.

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Read

Jeremiah 1:4—10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

“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 appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

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Reflect

This passage of scripture speaks not to just men and women who are called to the ministry of word and sacrament but to all who are baptized and believers in Jesus Christ. We are a royal priesthood created in the image of God. God knew our name before we were born. There is no such thing as illegitimate children only illegitimate parents. Our worth is not placed on us by a society or culture that we are born in, but rather by God; everything he created he said, ‘was good.’

You are good, you are beautiful, you are a person of worth, and you are a child of God.

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Pray

Abba Father, you are our creator and redeemer who called us to ministry when we were in our mother’s womb. You knew our names before we did and commissioned us to be your voice in this world. Help those who feel unworthy, unloved, and isolated to feel the eternal love you offer to each of us, your children. Strength us who are weak, encourage us who are belittled, heal us who are broken, and forgive us of our sin. Amen.

Go with God!