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Consider this: you have been chosen. As it says in Psalm 139: 13-14: “For you created my innermost being; you woven me in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am terribly and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that very well.
My call is perhaps not as deep or dramatic as God’s call to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1: 4-5: “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the mother’s womb, I knew you, before you were born. I set you apart: I made you a prophet of the nations. ‘ “
God knows me, as he knew Jeremiah; He thought of me and planned for me before I was even conceived. God always thinks of me as worth more than I think of myself and has a plan for me. I have to be careful not to let my free will get in His way.
Our society has deteriorated dramatically in many ways: economically, politically, spiritually. The Word of God has become offensive to many, just like in the days of Jeremiah. This prophet preached repentance, and although he prophesied for 40 years, he never saw his people heed his words and turn away from their sins. Repentance is one of the greatest needs of this immoral world.
As Christians today, we must not lose sight of the fact that we have a vital role to play in this universe. God named Jeremiah the prophet of the nations. Other Greats in the Bible have been designated for specific types of work. Samson, David, John the Baptist, Paul – all have been called to perform specific tasks for God.
Created, we are in his image where this alone proves our true value. The Spirit of God lives in each of us, but we must proactively release it. One thing I can do is tell God about my specific goal. I ask him, “What do you want me to do today, Lord?” I recognize that I am imperfect and imperfect, but know that His Spirit is here with me. Whatever I do with my thoughts and my time, I must do my best for Him.
During an exam, I know I have something unique to offer. I am a good wife, mother, excellent cook, good friend and neighbor. To identify my qualities, I sometimes make a mental list of these attributes: courage, patience, compassion, love and understanding. And, I love God. It allows me to stay focused.
But wait! I know I’m not good enough, definitely not as good as I can be. Even with my best efforts, I continue to fail. Today’s “feel good†lessons and sermons leave me feeling unsatisfied. The prosperity gospel and the theology of name and claim are far from biblical. Positive thinking coupled with optimism is emotionally and spiritually healthy, while a negative mindset prevents me from being open to the wonders of God. I need to be reminded from the pulpit that I sin and demand repentance. Christ’s Atonement provides me with the healing of an abundant life.
Where can I find encouragement? No life coaches or inspirational speakers. The Spirit of the Lord dwells in me, so I turn to his Word for help and comfort. Paul tells us in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” As we read further, however, we find some wonderful news. We can be forgiven of our sins by trusting in Jesus Christ; putting our faith in Him to get us right with God.
All sin makes us sinners. We should not downplay small sins (lust versus adultery) or overestimate big sins (like murder). They separate us all from God, but they can be forgiven, our slate blotted out. Idols cannot redeem us from our sins, only our Savior who created us. As Isaiah 44: 24-26 says: “This is what the Lord says: your Redeemer, who formed you in your womb: I am the Lord, who made all, who alone stretched out the heavens, who stretched out the earth by myself, which foils the signs of false prophets and ridicules diviners, who overthrows the knowledge of the wise and turns it into nonsense, who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers.
False prophets were people who claimed to bring messages from the gods. Diviners were people who faked omens for their own benefit. These are very much alive in our society today. You must beware. God is the standard for ALL teachings – His word is absolute and precise. Against His teachings we must measure all other instructions. God condemns false prophets. Beware of these “feel good†sermons which are really just pep talk.
Don’t accept the mediocre – strive for a higher plan, live a more godly life, and be more like Jesus. Raise the bar, always reach, trying to be good enough, to be better than you are.
As Matthew 5:22 tells us: “For I say to you that if your righteousness does not exceed that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Read and study the Sermon on the Mount – let it be your code of ethics, your manual for life.
Pat Throckmorton is a resident of Perquimans County.
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