7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
This particular reading is the call of Jeremiah. Jeremiah wanted to give an excuse of why he could not become a prophet for God – he was too young. I used to have a readymade list of excuses. “I have never done that item before.” “It is too far to travel to.” “It is too hot or too cold or too wet or too windy.”
In the call of Jeremiah, the excuse Jeremiah uses is not accepted by God. What I have found over time is that I can say “Yes” to something new or different. I have found that I may not do a perfect job first time. I did however feel that God was with me to give me the confidence that I could do a new thing.
PRAYER: Lord, you have heard the many excuses that we use to not do something. Help us to try new things and not always make an excuse to avoid doing something. Let us always feel you with us as we do something new for you. Amen.
Shirley Bowers
Lay Preacher