It can be scary...
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It can be scary to think that God knows everything about us even before we were born. I used to produce movies before I became a pastor, and I thought of the long reel of film passing through the projector one frame at a time. We see only one day at a time in our lives, but God sees the whole reel of film from beginning to end. God also created time! He is not bound by it as we are!
Is Jeremiah the only one who has a mission? Not everyone is called to be a prophet, but we are all called to do something for the Lord. The Bible tells us that some have been called to be prophets, but others are called to teach, preach, heal, and have other callings. (I'm sure the list could be much longer and could even include cleaning the church.) I believe that God has called some to make extra money so they can help others who don't have that gift, but are called to do other things maybe even more important for God's kingdom. Whatever God has given us to do, it is not just for our own entertainment and pleasure. It is to serve him and his people. One of our main duties is to ask God what he wants us to do with our lives -- in our spare time?
How easy it is to make excuses. If you have trouble speaking but God wants you to be a preacher, don't worry! He will provide! He will even put the words in your mouth.
It may make us worry, but like God tells Jeremiah, don't be afraid! I will be there to rescue you. I must say I still worried when I was in Nepal as a missionary. Some were even getting tortured and killed for their faith. I might be more willing to suffer a quick death, but that torture bit bothered me. I have to remember the horrible end that Jesus faced for me. Yes, he asked if there were any other way, but "thy will be done" is the final word for him and for all of us.
One pastor in Nepal, old pastor Tir, was tortured and imprisoned for his faith, but his ministry changed the whole nation of Nepal. From that one man who we met in 1997, there are now over two million Christians in Nepal.
Everyone may not be given that mission. All we can do is ask God what he wants us to do with the life he has given us. Next we have to realize that he will give us the words and wisdom to accomplish whatever he asks us to do for him. So shut up and don't complain!
Is Jeremiah the only one who has a mission? Not everyone is called to be a prophet, but we are all called to do something for the Lord. The Bible tells us that some have been called to be prophets, but others are called to teach, preach, heal, and have other callings. (I'm sure the list could be much longer and could even include cleaning the church.) I believe that God has called some to make extra money so they can help others who don't have that gift, but are called to do other things maybe even more important for God's kingdom. Whatever God has given us to do, it is not just for our own entertainment and pleasure. It is to serve him and his people. One of our main duties is to ask God what he wants us to do with our lives -- in our spare time?
How easy it is to make excuses. If you have trouble speaking but God wants you to be a preacher, don't worry! He will provide! He will even put the words in your mouth.
It may make us worry, but like God tells Jeremiah, don't be afraid! I will be there to rescue you. I must say I still worried when I was in Nepal as a missionary. Some were even getting tortured and killed for their faith. I might be more willing to suffer a quick death, but that torture bit bothered me. I have to remember the horrible end that Jesus faced for me. Yes, he asked if there were any other way, but "thy will be done" is the final word for him and for all of us.
One pastor in Nepal, old pastor Tir, was tortured and imprisoned for his faith, but his ministry changed the whole nation of Nepal. From that one man who we met in 1997, there are now over two million Christians in Nepal.
Everyone may not be given that mission. All we can do is ask God what he wants us to do with the life he has given us. Next we have to realize that he will give us the words and wisdom to accomplish whatever he asks us to do for him. So shut up and don't complain!
