Have you ever felt “the call?” I don’t mean the phone ringing, or your mother yelling down the hall. I mean the call of Christ.

In the case of our reading today, Jeremiah was told by God that before he was even knitted together in his mother’s womb, he was consecrated to be a prophet to the nations. God told him he was set apart for a task completely unto his own. Terrifying wouldn’t you think? In fact, Jeremiah tries to make excuses as to why he couldn’t possibly complete the job. I’m too young! I don’t know how to speak to people! I can almost hear God say, “rubbish to all this nonsense!”

The truth is, we are all set apart for a particular task. God calls each of us to Him for a purpose in the Kingdom. The key is whether we answer that call.

I will never forget the day I was “called” to ministry. I was the worship leader at my church. That Sunday morning, I was standing behind the pulpit, leading our services. We were in-between pastors, and I was introducing the guest speaker for the day. As I was speaking, I heard a small voice in my mind. “Someday this will be you before my people.” I almost fainted right then and there. My mind began to argue with the voice, like Jeremiah, making up a million excuses why that would not and could not happen. But the feeling in the pit of my stomach refused to leave me.

For a year, this argument went on. I would come up with another reason. I’m too old. I’ve not been in church my whole life. I’m too busy. I’m a woman. Still, the call, the feeling deep within would not let go. Finally, I gave up fighting. I remember kneeling at the altar of that church, tears streaming down my face, alone in the church with God. I said, “fine, if this is what you really want, then I give up, I’ll do it.” Peace washed over me.

The truth is, we are all called. But will you answer?