The last Sunday of this month we will be asked once again to ponder God's call to Jeremiah. A hesitant young man, the soon to be prophet protested vigorously God's summons ("Ah, Lord God, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy," 1:6), only to be simply told, gazing on the branch of an almond tree (shaqed) "you shall speak whatever I command you" (1:7b). In other words, don't worry and fret over whatever you aren't yet. Just be who you are, and the Lord will provide.
In the interesting play on words that follows he was also told, no less clearly by God, "I am watching (shoqed) over my word to perform it." In other words, just as the Lord God will be there to give him what to say (shaqed), so the Lord will be watching (shoqed) to make sure that what he says what the Lord tells him to say. No more, no less.
I have no doubt that in ways appropriate to us in our time and place God calls each of us in a similar way. We are not to worry about ourselves and our inadequacies when he calls. He will supply whatever we need and guard us in all our ways. But be advised that he will also be watching those he calls, to make sure that what we do and say in his name is what he gives us to do and say. No more, no less.
In other words, just trust and obey. That's all there is to it, everything required. Be both assured of his presence and advised of his presence. It's not about you or me. It's all about him, his word, and his will. Nothing can stand in the way of the Lord's anointed when he or she is true to the Anointing One. But the Lord himself remains sovereign in the process. "I will be with you," (shaqed), "and I will also be watching (shoqed). Don't worry, therefore, but don't run off on your own either.
We will be tempted, as Jeremiah himself was, to protest on occasion, sometimes out of frustration and sometimes out of sheer weariness. But he who calls will sustain us, re-stoking the the fires he first kindled in us until what he wants done is accomplished.
Welcome to ministry 101, the core course on responding to God's call that needs continually to be revisited.
We will be tempted, as Jeremiah himself was, to protest on occasion, sometimes out of frustration and sometimes out of sheer weariness. But he who calls will sustain us, re-stoking the the fires he first kindled in us until what he wants done is accomplished.
Welcome to ministry 101, the core course on responding to God's call that needs continually to be revisited.
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