Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak…

On Tuesday at chapel I shared on the topic of prayer. This was my first “sermon” of sorts as the Spiritual Life Commissioner at Prairie. As I prepared I was reminded of Jeremiah’s words in response to God appointing him as a prophet.

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”
(Jeremiah 1:4-6 ESV)

Now, I wouldn’t go so far as to say I know how he must have felt, for I have never heard the voice of God calling me to be a prophet to all nations. However, as a student leader I have a certain responsibility that at times I feel somewhat ill-equipped to fill.

Following the above passage, God responds with these words:

But the LORD said to me,

“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the LORD.”
(Jeremiah 1:7-8 ESV)

This is comforting. I am confident that God has brought me into this position, not because of anything I can do, or because I’m more worthy than anyone else, but because God gives gifts to those who are willing to receive them. Because it is God who gives the gifts, we are able to fulfill the responsibilities He has for us.

I’ve heard it said that the greatest ability a Christian can have is availability! When we make ourselves available to God, He will move our lives in the direction that He has always intended for us, and there’s nothing more fulfilling than knowing I am doing the work my Creator intended me to do.