Living in the Spirit

August 15, 2022

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10

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.’

I have been so impressed with some of the youth and young adults who have picked up the causes of justice in our land. They are ready to see a world built on caring for one another. I think they must have grown tired of divisive empty words when so much of importance is at stake.

Most of the prophets professed the need to have God put words in their mouths. I know that feeling every time I write something. I never want my words to be turned around against the situation I am addressing. I also remember Joan of Arc’s dilemma when she prayed for a message from God, and none came immediately. I know the wisdom of sleeping on something I have written to see it with fresh eyes, so I am not missing the mark.

I guess what I am trying to say is that all Christ-followers need to be brave like the young Jeremiah or the youth of our day standing against the injustice they see as we answer God’s call to end discord and build a loving world.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the courage to follow your call to justice.  Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.