Jeremiah 1

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. 

The word was the affirming of the anointing over his life. 

Before Jeremiah was formed in the womb of His mother, God knew Him. 

But not just knew Him. 

He knew the innermost parts of Him. He knew his tendencies, his sin cycles, the darkest parts of him. 

But yet the word of the Lord came to him. 

He didn't withhold the calling on his life because of his shortcomings. 

He was appointed before he knew he was appointed. 

He was called before he ever heard the calling. 

But when hearing what he was called too, Jeremiah doubted. 

He did not doubt God. 

It wasn't a doubt of God.. 

He believed that God had the authority to call anyone.

But the doubt came from within. 

Jeremiah saw the anointing. He heard the calling. 

But when he stood face to face in the mirror he saw a young boy. 

Unequipped. 

Not ready.

I get that. 

I'm not scared because I'm young. 

I'm scared because I am a sinner. 

And yeah, I know everyone's a sinner. 

But Paul hadn't met me when he said that he was the worst of these. 

Because I'm not naive. 

I've encountered the Holy Spirit. 

I've had dreams and visions. 

I know the word of God. 

I know the promises that are in His breath. 

I know the abundant life that is wrapped in a bow and sits on the table in front of me. 

But I chose my flesh. 

When I stand in the valley of sinfulness, I can hear the rope dropping from the mountain above me.

It's a rescue mission. 

The Holy Spirit comes through the valley like a windy whisper. 

“Come back” 

But I don't. 

Just for the chance it will be different this time. 

I know that sin easily entangles, and everything is fleeting. 

But I can't keep up the act. 

The Bible, the church outfits, the clean mouth, and the act of being set apart. 

I can't keep it up. Inside I desire to sin. The desire is strong. 

And so I sat in the valley. 

But I've noticed I wont say these things out loud. 

Instead I scream silently inside my head. 

“My anxiety is taking over” 

“The temptation is too strong” 

“I'm not enough”

Why wouldn't I just tell the shepherd that stands in front of me? 

He is standing right there. 

I should just tell Him. 

“I can't do this alone.”

Jeremiah screams. “I'm TOO YOUNG!” 

And God empowers Him in the very thing that Jeremiah doubted. 

Imagine if Jeremiah sat down and stayed in that valley of lies. 

Scripture says that Jeremiah doubted he could speak because he was too young. 

God then touches his lips. 

God literally reaches into the most unqualified part of Jeremiah and empowers it. 

To do the very thing he was fully convinced he couldn't do. 

God would you come touch my heart? 

There is a lot of pride. 

I'm not worthy. I'm not qualified. 

But even in the midst of the valley I have camped in, I feel that there is a rescue mission. 

Like I can hear you. I just have convinced myself I'm too weak to get up and grab onto the rope. 

I don't want to submit to a yoke of slavery again. I want to put the yoke on you, and just follow your lead. 

I'm really tired. 

Like really tired. 

I don't want to sit in the valley anymore. 

Can you pick me up and wrap my fingertips around the rope? 

Then let your Spirit pull me up? 

I want to keep in step with you. 

I just forgot the rhythm we used to walk in. 

They will fight against me, I know. 

But I want to experience my belief in the fighting that you do for me. 

Be with me Lord. 

Deliver me. 

Everyday for the rest of my life. 

That's the thing I'm realizing. 

I don't just want salvation the moment I pray the sinner's prayer. 

I want salvation every day of my life. 

I don't just want freedom from hell. 

I want freedom from the habits I have made of the flesh. 

I want freedom in the mundane tasks of the day. 

Freedom. 

I want freedom. 

Freedom to live in the fullness that You have for me. 

Don't let me settle for a lesser life. 

Call me higher. 

Pull me out.