Thursday Scripture: Jeremiah 1
Speak Up, Youngun!
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The Word of God came to me:
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, God! Look at me.
I don’t know anything. I’m only a youngun!”
God told me, “Don’t say, ‘I’m only a youth.’
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.”
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I felt God calling me to ministry in 1974.
I thought I was too young.
EVERYONE thought I was too young.
With the benefit of hindsight, you know what?
They were right. I WAS too young.
But people were kind, in spite of it.
They helped nurture and guide me along the way.
The people of God helped me grow into my calling.
These days I am officially an old geezer.
I don't know when I started geezing, but apparently I'm getting pretty good at it.
I can't imagine retiring. Ever.
But there are two bits of good news I'm learning to accept:
#1: There is a savior GOOD News!
#2: It's not me. BETTER News!
God is calling plenty of younguns to speak up in the name of the Lord.
They are afraid they are too young to have a lick of sense...
And they are.
But geezers like me are called to find them, encourage them, and help them grow into their calling.
For the rest of us, God has a message today.
Do not say "I'm only an old geezer."
God knew you before you were born.
God will use you to help the younguns speak up.
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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.