Pause

Snapshots remind us of times past. They rekindle memories and create opportunities for sharing stories.

Those who have experienced God before us provide snapshots of God’s love for us. This love speaks through their words. It speaks through their actions.

As different as their lives and cultures were from ours, God’s love remains the same. Love speaks to us on our darkest days and in our brightest hours. Love speaks to us through stories and snapshots. Love speaks to us through actions and words.

Listen

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, “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.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”

Jeremiah 1:4-8

Think

You are special and God has a plan for you. Don’t believe me? Read today’s passage again. God had a plan for Jeremiah before forming him in his mother’s womb. Too often, God is portrayed as bigger than life, almost unapproachable, despite how we pray. We are so small in the universe that God stands above.

Yet here in this passage, Jeremiah heard from God about God’s knowing him, forming him, consecrating him, and appointing him. That is incredibly intimate. God knows you. God formed you. God has a plan for you.

When Jeremiah doubted himself, God encouraged him. When Jeremiah was afraid, God comforted him. God loves you just the same. When you doubt yourself, God encourages you. When you are afraid, God comforts you.

You are not an “only (anything).” You are God’s, loved and formed and called. Be bold and share the same love with others to whom God sends you.

Brian Foreman

Pray

God who knows me, help me to be sensitive to those around me who need to be loved, encouraged, comforted, and known. Amen.

Go

You are God’s.
You are loved and known.
Let love speak to you.
Let love speak through you.

Amen.