Walking With the Prophets

This is a Christmas gift from my dear friend, mentor, and fellow minister Rev. Dawn Carlson. A great reminder to me, so I hope it is to you as well. Based on the words of the young prophet Jeremiah who, like you or might, questioned God's calling for him. It's perfect for Advent as we think about another young child by the name of Mary who only questioned the Angel of God, as did Jeremiah, because she was perplexed with God's decision to choose her to not only safely carry the Christ but to care for him from his birth to his death. What is God calling you to do?

Rev. Dawn Carlson in the Sr. Minister of The Phoenix Congregational Fellowship, a church without walls that streams live every Sunday on Facebook at 10:30 am (EST)


Jeremiah 1:6-8
“O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

I don’t know about you, but if I had a dollar for every time I heard someone (at church) say, “Oh, no… I’m too old / young / busy / confused / supply your own word here”  to do whatever you are asking, I could retire, right now and drive my Jaguar to the movies. Everybody has an excuse and the “I’m too _________” excuse is the classic.

Generally, the “I’m too ____” excuse is an easy catch all.  What often lies beneath it is a feeling that for some reason, God would never choose us based on our past experiences, mistakes, lives.  But that’s not what the Bible teaches us.  Not. Even. Close.

We’ve all seen the memes, but the message is true.  Jacob lied. Moses killed. David messed around. Martha worried. And Lazarus died!  And God used each and every one of them and God can, and will, use each and every one of us.  

Oh, and don’t forget God’s constant message because it’s the basis of our super power - for I will be with you. Read that again - for I will be with you.

Got it?  Good!