Called to Do What?
Today’s Verse:
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. ~Jeremiah 1:5
When I was in second grade, I remember a discussion that my father had with me while he was driving me to school. He embedded in my mind the importance of knowing what career path I should take for my life. From that point on, he encouraged me to think about where I saw myself as a working adult. What is it that God has called you to do? What are you doing with your gifts and calling?
We see the delight.
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.” God loves you! He said that before you were conceived in your mother’s womb, He already had you in mind. In fact, He says that He knew you. He knew your name, your personality, your preferences, your influences, your decisions, your direction, and your life duration. David said, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.” Take great comfort and confidence in the fact that God delights in you.
We see the decision.
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.” God told Jeremiah that even before he was born, He set him apart for a special purpose. God said, “I sanctified thee.” God sets us apart for a holy purpose more than He does for a human purpose. Do we have a say in God’s decision for our life? Are we without a free will in the matter? First, God has given us volition, that is, the ability to decide. Our say in the matter is “yes” or “no.” God, Who is infinitely wiser than us, has decided where we can have the greatest impact. To refuse God’s calling is disobedience and places us way outside of what is best for us. God’s decision for our calling is powerful, personalized, passionate, and perfect.
We see the descent.
“The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.” In order to fulfill His calling on Jeremiah, God directed that he would be born into a family of priests. Jeremiah would be a descendant of men who had represented men before God for generations. This was important so that his training would be in the way in which he should go. Jeremiah would be born with good spiritual and parental DNA to help him get off to a good start in his calling. Be thankful for your heritage. Be focused on the heritage that you are to pass down.
We see the design.
“I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah’s unique calling was to be a prophet to the nations. His very name means “whom Jehovah has appointed.” He had a gracious calling. Of all the men of his generation, God wanted Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations. It was a grand calling. God designed that Jeremiah would preach the Word to the nations: not just to Judah, but to the nations. God imparted to Jeremiah articulation, ardor, courage, steadfastness, and zeal for this calling. Hudson Taylor used to say, “Whom God calls, He equips.” God has custom-designed His servant to be fitted exactly to the task he is called to.
Called to do what? Don’t shy away or be reluctant to what God has decided for your life. Discover what it is that He has called you to, trust in Him completely, and let Him direct your path.
Have a directed God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Zechariah 1-7