Hey, Gina.” The greeting was casual, but nonetheless surprising. Granted, I like my venti, decaf, nonfat, extra hot mocha all the way to the top, but I don’t go to Starbucks every day. I can only assume my high-maintenance order had emblazoned my name on the barrista’s mind. Amid my surprise, a lesson from the Lord hit home. I am known.
Who am I? Where am I going? Does my life matter? These are questions we all ponder, even believers. Drowning in the enemy’s lies of our insignificance, we sometimes hide away. Thinking no one sees, we suddenly hear a voice. Looking up, we realize that the God of the universe has just spoken our name (Isaiah 43:1)! We are not just seen. We are known.
The weeping prophet Jeremiah was a young man who had been set apart from the womb. Appointed for a daunting task, Jeremiah was called to facilitate God’s redemptive plan by bringing the Israelites to repentance. For Jeremiah, however, the difficulty of his task at times led to doubts.
Just like the prophet, life’s challenges may have caused you to question what you know is true. Does God really know how many hairs are on my head? Does He really see the deep places I’m walking? Jeremiah himself asked questions like these (Jeremiah 15:15-18).
First Peter 2:9 tells us we are “royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.” Our purpose is not found on a billboard from God that states: “Go this way.” We are His vessels called to carry His redemptive message in our lives. He wants us to rest in the assurance that we are known and that He is a God who is “watching, and . . . will certainly carry out all [His] plans” (Jeremiah 1:12).
More:
• Psalm 139:1-5
• 1 Corinthians 13:12
• 1 Thessalonians 1:2-8
Next:
What hinders you from believing God is intimately acquainted with your life? Do you believe you carry the message of God’s redemption in you? How does this affect you?
Chew Keng Sheng on September 27, 2009 at 7:07 pm
To me, this passage in Jeremiah 1 on Jeremiah’s call also reminds me of my own situation.
Being called to preach in church as a lay leader at age 35 years old, sometimes I must say I really feel inadequate. Although it is a small church, I still do feel the inadequacy, but yet, if we were to wait for the “right” time, the moment may never arrive. Our feelings of inadequacy may cripple us. When will we ever be ready, if we were to wait for the right recipe, the right formula, as judged according to our own timing?
If God says can, who am I to say can’t? That’s why today’s devotional of knowing that I am known is important. Knowing who I belong to, gives me a sense of confidence to move forward.
elisau on October 1, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I understand what you’re getting at. I also feel “known” by God. Sometimes it’s that still small voice. Other times it’s my own voice that speaks with widsom beyond my own ability. LOL
When you start to empty yourself of yourself it gives God room to fill you up with Him.