After reading my Bible this morning, a reflection:
Jeremiah
1:4-8
4 The word of the Lord came to me,
saying,
5 “Before I formed
you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
6 “Alas, Sovereign
Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
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.
God
called me to ministry in my early 20s. I was too young.
I
did not know how to speak. But the Lord sent me anyway.
After
three decades I am not too young anymore.
Do
I know any better how to speak?
I
have birthed my own four babies and baptized other peoples.
I
have buried my parents, grandparents, good friends and parishioners.
I
have sat by sick beds, death beds and birth beds.
Do
I know any better how to speak?
I
have watched my church people experience racism first hand and painful.
I
have watched my city wrestle with racism and the fall out.
I
have now seen my grown daughter’s city do the same.
Do
I know any better how to speak?
I
have preached at least 1500 different sermons to the same church.
I
have led worship as many times, designed services to lead people to God.
I
have prayed with children, youth and adults to accept Christ.
Do
I know any better how to speak?
I
have guided my own children through the education system fighting for their disabilities
to be accommodated.
I
have guided other youth through the system helping them fight for their rights.
I
have supported teachers and administrators and students in hearing each other.
Do
I know any better how to speak?
I
have gone in the name of Christ to places in the city that others fear.
I
have gone in the name of Christ to tiny Togo where they serve a big God.
I
have served my denomination on committees and commissions and at conferences.
Do
I know any better how to speak?
What
have I gained in three decades that helps me speak for God?
I
hope I have learned to listen.
I
hope the pain of others has lodged in my heart.
I
hope the hope of others has secured a place beside the pain.
Perhaps
I am no less young in knowing how to speak.
But
from the beginning like Jeremiah God has sent me anyway.
Obedience
stays my hand and my mouth.
And
the promise of God, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you
and will rescue you.”
So
be it Lord.
Posts
