HOW IS GOD CALLING YOU?
Jeremiah 1:4-10,17-19
“I am not made for perilous quests!” cried Frodo. “I wish I had never seen the
ring. Why did it come to me? Why was I chosen?
“Such questions cannot be answered,” said Gandalf. “You may be sure that it
was not for any merit that others do not possess, nor for power or wisdom in any
way. But you have been chosen and you must therefore use such strength and
heart and wits as you have.”
The reason why books and movies like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter are
so popular is because they tell universal truths about life. They are illustrative of
our topic for today. Both Frodo Baggins and Harry Potter are chosen for special
tasks that they feel unprepared and unqualified for. They are chosen even
before they understand their gifts or who they are. This is not unlike the call to
Jeremiah we read about in Jeremiah 1.

Read Jeremiah 1:4-10,17-19
IDENTIFICATION
God calls all of us to partnership in the divine mission. God calls all of us to follow
him in radical ways. It may be exciting; it may be frightening for you. Maybe you
will be able to identify with Jeremiah’s interaction with God in this passage.
Jeremiah was born in a volatile time in Israelite history. Reform was the word of
the day, but the reforms were not strong enough to prevent the takeover of his
small country by a powerful neighbor. When Jeremiah was just elementary
school age, another kid, a few years older, named Josiah, became king at the
ripe old age of 8. Are there any 8 year olds here? How would you like to
become king of a country?
It seems that some young people had some big responsibilities in those days.
Since 1:2 says that Jeremiah got his first vision in King Josiah’s 13th year, that
would make Jeremiah in his late teens. There had been nothing very
spectacular in his life thus far. He was an ordinary preacher’s kid.
God starts the conversation with Jeremiah in v.4 by giving him words that would
help to build self-esteem. “God created you with great care inside your
mother’s womb and planned who you would be even before you were born.
God doesn’t make junk! You are made in the image of God. God has a special
plan for your life.” What an affirming message to hear!
1
DILEMMA
But it’s the “special plan” that has Jeremiah a bit worried. Imagine, you’re
feeling pretty good about graduating from high school and being out on your
own and God calls you, not to beach ministry or university, not even to be a
coffee barista at Starbucks, but to be a professional lobbyist against the
government and a critic against the religious establishment! A prophet to the
nations! Well, that’s exactly what happened to Jeremiah.
“Whoa! Ah, Lord? Jeremiah says, “I think you might have the wrong guy. I barely
passed speech class. I’m nervous in front of groups. I’m not really familiar with
politics. I’m too young. I’m just a kid!
But God scolds, “Don’t ever say, ‘I’m only a kid.’ Remember what I just told you.
I created you. You are special. I did not choose you, not because of any gift or
quality you possess. I just chose you. I’m calling you to be who you are, who I
created you to be. I’m calling you to be a prophet to speak my words to all
kinds of people: governments, churches, leaders.”
Jeremiah had heard God calling people to be prophets before. God had
spoken similar words to famous prophets before him: Moses, Samuel, Isaiah…
but he had never pictured himself in their company. The real reason he didn’t
want to be a prophet was because he was scared spitless. Jeremiah knew what
prophets did – they spoke God’s words to God’s people, words that they did not
always want to hear, words as much about tearing down as about building up.
He also knew what happened to prophets – they got stoned! God’s call was too
big. Jeremiah was afraid of who God was calling him to be.
But God knew what Jeremiah was feeling. “I’ll look after the words and the
itinerary,” God said, “I know it sounds kind of intimidating, but you don’t need to
be afraid, because I am with you and I will protect you and rescue you
whenever you get into trouble.” Steven Francisco, a former director of the
Mennonite youth convention once said, “If it’s not too big, it’s not God.” God
has a way of calling us to things we think are too big for us, but are never too
big for God. God wanted to stretch Jeremiah out of his comfort zone!
ACTION
And then God does something remarkable. It says in v.9 that God “reached out
his hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth.” Jeremiah could not be Jeremiah on
his own. He felt like he had nothing to say, he was too young and most of all he
was just plain scared.
2
But when God touched him, Jeremiah could be all that God was calling him to
be. God’s touch was the enabling, the energy, the endurance. A prophet’s job
is to speak, so when God touches Jeremiah, he says, “Now I have put my words
in your mouth.” God provides all that we need to be who we are called to be.
God created Jeremiah in the first place and now God empowers him to be all
that he was called to be. In v.17 God gives Jeremiah the challenge, “Get
yourself ready! Stand up! Face your present! Face your future! Live out your
calling! Be who you are! Be who I’ve called you to be! Say what I’ve called you
to say. Go for it!”
We may not feel qualified to follow God’s call on our life but as we step out in
faith and obedience, God provides what we need and we begin to see how
God equips us.
CONSEQUENCES
Jeremiah’s calling was to stand against the whole land – political leaders, kings
and princes, and religious leaders. What a calling! No wonder he was scared.
Our callings too may seem intimidating.
The call to follow Christ will often be in opposition to the empire of consumerism
around us. It won’t be easy to be faithful to our calling. Other people may think
we are crazy.
The chapters that follow give details about how Jeremiah is cursed, threatened,
arrested, and despised. The rest of the book of Jeremiah also includes a lot of
doubting, complaining, lamenting, and even whining about his call. This is why
Jeremiah is often known as the “weeping prophet.”
But with the challenge that God gives Jeremiah, God also gives him a new
name, a new identity. In chapter 1 he seems like a timid and fearful prophet, but
in v.18 God calls him a “Man of Steel,” i.e. a fortified city, an iron pillar, a bronze
wall.
Leaders will oppose him and even fight him, but Jeremiah will overcome. God’s
message will prevail. “For I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Then Jeremiah opens his mouth and speaks. We have more recorded words
from him than any other prophet.
3
DECISION
We are at the beginning of a new year. The new calendar year is a time when
many of us reflect on the year past and the year ahead. It is a good time to
think about what God might be calling us to this year. We may not be on the
verge of a new career or getting married or a geographical move, but it is still a
good time to think ahead.
God has created each one of us in the divine image. God has a special plan for
each of our lives. God calls us out of our comfort zones to be partners in the
work that Jesus began.
Jeremiah chapter 1 has often been used as a youth ministry or young adult text
because Jeremiah appears to be a young man when he receives a call from
God, but this story is not only a challenge for the young but for all people who
might have excuses about why God would not be calling on them for anything.
God calls all of us, children, youth, adults, seniors, male and female, married
and single.
How is God calling you this year? Who is God calling you to be? What is God
calling you to do this year? What is God saying to you? How are you
responding?
God touches you and gives you what you need to be who you are called to be,
and says to you, “Do not be afraid for I am with you and will take care of you.”
4