God Is, and God Can

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. (Jeremiah 1:5)

Ever since I met Jesus—and He rescued me from myself and my chains at age 16—my heart has gone out to Jeremiah. Something in that man’s story calls to me and connects me to God, and so much of it is found in the very first chapter, where God reaches out to Jeremiah. I highlight that because it’s critical that God, not Jeremiah, takes this relationship to a deeper level. He is forever inviting us on… Do you hear His call? 

And God is so kind, so thoughtful in His invitation. He really considers what will be meaningful to us. One of the most special things I’ve ever heard God say is right there in the first verses, “Before I ever formed you in the womb, I knew you…” In those words I hear intimacy and intention. Our Father in heaven knows us—our heart, our desires, our quirks and issues, and the little things that make us special. He’s always known us, and He has always enjoyed us. We are His. And God made Jeremiah—and He made us—on purpose. 

In this passage, we discover that God already had in mind exactly what He was going to ask Jeremiah to do long before Jeremiah was alive or equipped to do a thing at all. He has put time and thought and care into Jeremiah’s life journey, and that spells love. You spend time and put thought into what you care about, and God cares deeply about us. And do you know what that tells me? I matter.

One of the most prevailing battles of my life has been answering that question. “Do I matter? Maybe if can keep from failing so much, or if I do something important enough or get the attention of the right people, that might mean I matter.” At least, that’s what was going on behind the scenes in my mind and heart as I grew up without a father. And the whole time, God was planning secret rescue missions, shaping circumstances to get my attention, and reaching out to me to say, “You matter to Me.” 

And once I met Him, I discovered not only did I matter to Him as a son He loves, but I also realized He made me on purpose and had great plans for me! God’s invitation to Jeremiah is striking, as His idea of what the man should do with his life is elevated far beyond any of Jeremiah’s expectations. And that’s how I felt when I caught a glimpse of some of my Father’s plans for me (and I still feel that way so often). 

I said, “I can’t do that. I can’t speak in Your name in public. I can’t do new, difficult things that don’t suit what I’m used to.” But listen to what God said to Jeremiah when he said, “Oh, Lord, I don’t know how to do that…”. Jeremiah 1:7-8: But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, I am only a youth”; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. … for I am with you to deliver you.” God knew Jeremiah, so none of his fears were a surprise. And God knew what He could do, so He wasn’t worried about what Jeremiah could do. 

This story wasn’t about Jeremiah, but Jeremiah got to have an important part because God decided it was so, and that’s all there was to it. And the same goes for us all. We are not writing our own stories—or if we are, we are most to be pitied. We are called to walk with the King of the world, and He is inviting us into more than we could dream if we would only trust that His presence and ability are all that matter. It’s not about us. It’s about Him.

So what needs to happen next in your life? Whatever is needed, God is, and God can.

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.