Devotion: Called by God

Jeremiah 1:4-8 (MSG)

This is what God said:

“Before I shaped you in the womb,
I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day,
I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations—
that’s what I had in mind for you.”

But I said, “Hold it, Master God! Look at me.
I don’t know anything. I’m only a boy!”

God told me, “Don’t say, ‘I’m only a boy.’
I’ll tell you where to go and you’ll go there.
I’ll tell you what to say and you’ll say it.
Don’t be afraid of a soul.
I’ll be right there, looking after you.”
God’s Decree.

Happy New Year! As we prepare for another year, we look to the Bible today to help us face whatever may come at us. Jeremiah was “only a boy” when God called him to be a prophet to the nations. That would frighten most of us at any age. But God went on to comfort him saying, “I will be right there, looking after you.”

Do you hear God’s call in the new year? Is there something holding you back from leaving your comfort zone?

2017 was an amazing year for me. I did things I never thought I could do. I traveled to churches, conferences and book clubs to tell the story of Katie Luther to strangers. I stood in front of my own church family here at Sheridan the month of October and conveyed her essence. Was I alone? Never. God’s hand was guiding me and giving me the strength to tell her story. During this Reformation year our church history came to life. Before this, I felt a lot like Jeremiah. I had never put myself “out there” to strangers, but this year, there I was, German accent and all!

What does 2018 hold for us? Only God knows. Are we listening for His voice? God is calling us by name.

Precious Lord, take my hand and lead me on. Give me strength to face uncertainty and failure. Guide me to go where I have not been before. Thank you for all the blessings You have brought into my life. Make me a blessing to others. Amen.

Written by Cindy Swanson