Kingdom Building

August 19, 2019

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”;
or 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.’ –Jeremiah 1:4-8

I am only a boy Jeremiah says. What are we “only a”?  Most of us could create a lengthy list of are “only a” characteristics. I am only a retiree, only one person. God is saying to all of us through Jeremiah that God endowed us with the talents we need to do our part. Those are not always static talents. Many of us have adapted our skills and talents to meet the new world we encounter every day.

God is working God’s purpose out; our task is to stay engaged with God to see where we fit in with God’s design. Jeremiah obviously saw the issues facing his fellow Jews that were leading them in a wrong direction, which most likely led to his discomfort in taking steps to correct them. His insight was part of his gift; God’s response gave him the courage to act on what he saw.

And about that being only one person, I think God loves us individually, but God created us to be a part of a great community working in oneness toward justice throughout the world. We are never alone in that quests.

Prayer: Creator God, you made us each in your image, give us the courage and strength to live out all that that means as we sojourn with one another in this world. 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.