The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. The word of the Lord came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.
The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "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." "Alas, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young." 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. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."
(Jeremiah 1:1-10 NIV)
Ryan my InterVarsity staff repeatedly hammered this into me and others in relation to leadership in the kingdom. Spiritual leadership comes from God alone. It is not based on skill. We can't say yes or no. God may call us to lead in ways we are unprepared. Jeremiah like many people and even the church answers looks at his age and experience and gifting. Jeremiah says it can't be me. We think it can't be, when someone is called to leadership or to become a pastor who is not as gifted. But God is the one who gives spiritual authority and calls.
God responds to Jeremiah: I am calling and you must go for I have work for you to do. Do not shrink from the calling and from your weaknesses. God says Trust me for I will be with you .I will give you words to speak though you are not gifted that way.
And like Jeremiah I pray that I would continue and lead others to say yes your majesty. For when God calls I pray we would answer and go!
Lord I am not worthy of my leadership or life as a staff or college minister for InterVarsity. But God thank you for calling me and for using me desire my weaknesses. I want to trust you more. I pray your kingdom would come. Use me Lord as you choose.
Amen
"Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:17-19 NIV)
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