Jeremiah 1:5–8 - Contemporary English Version
‘I promise to be with you and keep you safe, so don't be afraid.’
When you think: let someone else do it
You see a colleague being treated unfairly and want to say something, but you hesitate. Or someone at church asks you to help, and you immediately think of everything you cannot do. “I’m not the right person,” you tell yourself. Jeremiah recognised that feeling when he was given a task that seemed much bigger than he was.
A young man in troubled times
Jeremiah lived in Judah, centuries before Jesus. The country faced major political and social changes. God called him to speak to the people on his behalf, even when they did not want to listen. Jeremiah felt too young and thought he could not speak well enough.
God had known Jeremiah before he was born and had chosen him for this particular task. When Jeremiah raised his objections, God did not tell him everything would be easy. He had to go, and he would meet resistance. But God promised that Jeremiah would not have to carry out his task alone.
Those words were spoken to Jeremiah first. Still, I understand why his story continues to touch people. You do not have to be a prophet to need courage. Sometimes courage means knocking on the door of a neighbour who could use help. Sometimes it means standing up for someone. And sometimes it means saying honestly at church, “I’m not doing well.” Asking for help can be a brave step, too.
Final thought
Perhaps you do not feel strong or capable enough. You do not have to hide that uncertainty from Jesus. Christians believe you can come to him with your questions and fears. What would your first step be if you did not have to manage everything on your own?
A prayer
“Jesus, You see my uncertainty. Help me be honest about my fear. Give me courage to do what is needed today, to ask for help and to get to know you better. Amen.”