Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

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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

Excuses, Excuses

When I was a teen, I was given chores to do in the house. Nothing major mind you, but chores, nevertheless. More than few times, I was called out because I hadn’t taken out the trash or mowed the lawn. I became very good at giving excuses. “If you had asked before my favorite TV show, I would have done it.” “I have lots of homework.” “But my friends are coming over.” “How about after we eat?” “I’m not too young to do that.” (OK, so maybe that last one was someone else.)

Jeremiah gets called to do a chore as well. Only the person calling him is not his mom or dad, but God. Imagine being told that you were known even before you were born, and God had a special job just for you. No pressure, Jeremiah. But that’s what was happening. God was calling Jeremiah to be a “prophet to the nations.” God needed a voice to speak and Jeremiah had been chosen, much to his chagrin. Jeremiah begins by making excuses: too young, can’t speak, scared. But God isn’t having any of his excuses!
While we may not hear the voice like Jeremiah, we are continually called. I believe God is calling everyone to make this world better in one way or another. And so often, we come with excuses. “I don’t have time.” “I’m not good at that.” “She’s better than me, go ask her.” We are great with excuses.

What we fail to realize, and what Jeremiah learned the hard way, God doesn’t give up. So maybe its time to say – yes, Lord. And see where that might lead.

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Pray

Calling God, we know you have something for each of us to do. And we have been guilty of making excuses why you should call someone else. Give us strength to say yes and serve you faithfully. Amen.

Go with God!