Daily Bread

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.’ Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, ‘Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.’

We might not be a famous Old Testament prophet like Jeremiah, but we can resonate with how he felt when God called him. Jeremiah responded with a, "Who, me?" Yet, every Christian, including you, is called to be an agent or ambassador for God. We are called to join in with God's ongoing mission in the world, empowered by the Spirit to be the eyes, hands, and heart of Jesus to all we encounter.

No matter who you are, where you live, your age, sex, gender, social status, mental or physical health; no matter what you've done or not done; and no matter how you feel about yourself, God knew you before you were born and has chosen you. Yes, you! God is with you today, and together, with God, "You got this!"

Holy God, when I feel low, unworthy, or incapable, may I trust in your promises and lean into you. Today, may I not be afraid, but be granted strength by your Spirit to be your child and your witness in the world. Help me to be Jesus to all I encounter, and to be ready to share your love. Amen.