I Know Who I Am.

In yesterday's sermon, we were reminded of our position as a prophetic community. As prophetic people, we step into line with God's assessment of who we are and what we must do. Pastor Sam referenced Jeremiah chapter 1, which details the process and content of Jeremiah's call to prophetic ministry.

 

Let's begin our week's reflections with a discussion of the following question in light of Jeremiah 1:5.

 

Who are we?

• We are persons formed by God.
• We are persons known by God.
• We are persons sanctified by God.
• We are persons appointed by God.

This process occurs prior to our conception! God said to Jeremiah and says to us, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” It is an awesome thing to know that God has given each of His people a particular task to perform, and a particular destiny to fulfill.

 

This word to Jeremiah relates to another Scripture, found in Isaiah 45:9:

 

“Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker—

An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth!

Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’

Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?”

 

For anyone who has not taken a pottery class, the potter analogy may be a challenge to fully understand. But we all understand that clay does not talk, and therefore clay on a potter's wheel does not argue to the potter about the rationale behind his formation process.

 

God is creative, God is intentional, God is a planner. God has us living for a specific purpose. He had that purpose in mind before He formed us in our mothers' wombs. There is no such thing as a life without purpose. God, as Potter, designed our purpose even before He designed us.

 

Some people learn at a very early age that they were made for a particular task. That was the experience of Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 1:7) Other people, like Moses, do not come to that realization until they are well into adulthood (see Exodus 3:10-12). And sadly, there are some people who never realize their destiny and purpose.

 

To Jeremiah's and Moses's credit, they do not fall into the error of saying to the Potter, “What are You doing?” But though they did not quarrel, they did offer a few lame excuses to God. I am familiar with some of those excuses, because I've said them myself. Maybe you have said them too. Lord, it's too late for me. Lord, I have nothing to offer. Lord, I'm too young. I'm sure God has heard many excuses.

 

Fortunately, Pastor Sam brought out an amazing point concerning Jeremiah's reluctance to serve. God never addressed Jeremiah's personal sense of inadequacy. God confirmed the call, stated the assignment, touched Jeremiah's mouth, and immediately moved Jeremiah into the prophetic role. What an encouragement! Our God who calls us is also God who equips and empowers us to be prophetic voices in our community and our world.

 

So, who are you?