The Kingdom of God- Honoring the Perspective of God for Youth (Jeremiah 1)/ Rashea@LLO2 Academy
I am not saying that we see everything wrong, but we don't see everything right all the time either. God on the other hand, His perspective is always right and never wrong. Jeremiah needed God's perspective.
Sometimes, we need God's perspective when we cannot see as God sees us, our lives or the world around us. Jeremiah needed faith. He needed encouragement. He needed the right perspective.
Sometimes, doing what God requires isn't easy. It requires courage and encouragement. "Do not say you are too young, Jeremiah," God said to him.
Do you see your task too much for you to handle? Get God's perspective. God never calls us to anything that we cannot do, handle or achieve in His strength.
God wasn't trying to intimidate Jeremiah nor undermine his competence. God wanted Jeremiah to see himself as God saw him. "I call you a prophet to the nations," God said to Jeremiah.
A prophet? Jeremiah's father was a priest. Not a prophet.
What do you do when you break the family tradition? What do you do when you break the ranks? What do you do when God calls you to accomplish something different?
You listen. You trust. You obey God.
God never told us that we would uphold the family emblem or traditions all the time, but we are required to uphold His. God gave Jeremiah courage like a lion. He was instructed not to back down nor be intimidated by the wayward looks of others annoyance or frustration with his assignment.
Jeremiah's calling was far from easy. Jeremiah was assulted, insulted, accused and misrepresented on several occasions. The Bible refers to him as the weeping prophet. "Why God did you call me to these people? They do not listen," exclaimed Jeremiah!
Jeremiah faced stiff necked leaders in leadership that resisted God's message. Periodically, they threatened Jeremiah and tried to silence him. Those who were leading seemed to be winning, but in the end God repaid the cruelty of the resistant with their own peril and fate.
Sometimes, leadership comes with tears and weariness. Leading people who resist sound instruction is a difficult task, but God is sovereign. He helps us get the job done.
From time to time, God would ask Jeremiah, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" God wanted to be sure that He and Jeremiah were on the same page. To communicate the wrong message would be a disaster.
God, also, wanted to be sure that the opinions of others around him would not make him relent from speaking the truth as God revealed. Sometimes, peer pressure and the opinions of others can cause us to retreat instead of obey God. In those moments, you must remember what God has said, "Do not be afraid of people."
People are one of the biggest hindrances to purpose, prosperity and peace. If you can overcome the expectations and opinions of people, you will have greater fulfillment in life. That's for sure.
"Jeremiah what do you see?" This question communicates a lesson in sight and in revelation. Communicate to me what you see, and I will communicate to you what I mean.
Sometimes, God speaks directly and literally. Other times, God speaks indirectly and in metaphors. He will utilize imagery of some kind to reveal a message or a coming reality. Other times, His message is open, direct and clear.
However, God decides to speak, it is important that we are listening to His Word and His voice. So, I ask you, what do you see? Seek to see as God sees. This brings Him honor.
Rashea@LLO2
