Do not say ‘I am only a child’
Wednesday 28th October 2015Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,
5 “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.”
6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.”7 But the LORD said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a child’;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
says the LORD.”Jerimiah 7: 5-8
These words from Jeremiah have meant a lot to me for a very long time. From the age of eleven, I felt called to serve God in the church in some way. I found it hard at a young age to articulate what this may or may not be, but this passage told me many things and has reassured me through my years of discernment.
God Knows Me…He always has, he always will
In the opening verses of this chapter God tells Jeremiah that He knew him, even before his own mother had met him. God knew Jeremiah in the time when he was being formed and hidden from sight. God was there in his formation and he understood everything about his personality and ability.
God Knows Me…Better than I know myself
Jeremiah was self-doubting. He knew what God was asking him to do…but he didn’t believe that he was capable of ful lling the role that he had been called to. At times in our lives we all have doubts about our abilities or even doubts about others, but we should always be rest assured that God never sets us up to fail. God always equips us.
God Knows…Best!
Even though Jeremiah attempts to escape the calling that God has placed on his life as he believes that he is too young and not ‘up to the job’ God disproves this theory. God tells Jeremiah that he is more than capable of ful lling the task in question and not only that, but he will not be alone, God will go with him and help him in all things.
As we lead children and young people, may we be enabled to show them their God given gifts and talents, but even more than that, may we, as adults listen to the voices of our children. My four year old son Jack is always telling me to stop and pray (talk to Jesus) when I get stressed about anything. I always nd that when I do stop and I do pray everything seems so much more manageable.
May we encourage our children to speak out and may we listen to what they have to say and may we recognise the voice of Jesus speaking through and with them.
Nicola Langton-Miller
