What Is My Purpose?
“Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I’m only a child.” - (Jeremiah 1:6) NIV
The verse was Jeremiah’s reaction to God’s plan for his life as a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah. The kingdom was destined for exile in Babylon. Jeremiah acknowledged he understood God’s call for him but he quickly reasoned with God that He was mistaken. There’s no way Jeremiah believed he could change hearts and minds – as a prophet is called to do. Ever make that argument with God?
Most of us probably haven’t been called like Jeremiah to go uproot nations, thankfully – but we all have calls. Some are very noticeable or visible as God desires. An example of a noticeable or specific call is those chosen to be pastors or leaders in ministry. Some calls can go comparatively unnoticed, and the outcomes are only known and seen by God. An example might be caring for a friend dealing with grief by just being there to listen. Each call has value or God wouldn’t place it on our hearts.
Many times, God uses others to call us into service. Perhaps your first instinct is to try to avoid the “ask”. I know that feeling. I get this nagging sensation in the pit of my stomach. My head says, “You better just get on with” it but the rest of me says, “Run the other way.” I’m able to come up with several reasonable objections and I might even think God accepts my objections. But God just isn’t persuaded by my protests. He isn’t interested in debates.
Here’s an example of someone who illustrated the point - another Bible great, Moses. God called him to be used to redeem Israel from enslavement in Egypt. God instructed Moses to talk directly to Pharoah and instruct Pharaoh that God wanted His people freed from Egyptian slavery. Moses responded that he was not a good speaker, so God should use someone else. God allowed Moses’ brother Aaron to do the speaking but follow the rest of the story of Moses and you’ll see that God never accepted Moses’ excuses and Moses did fulfill God’s calling.
Sure, we may not relate to the God/Moses relationship so here’s perhaps a more relative experience. It’s like when I was a child at mealtime. My mom prepared the meals that she knew were best for me and my siblings’ nutritional needs – and I would rebel against some her choices. Mom would listen to my arguments but in the end, she made the decision and that was that. You see, she was always looking out for what was best for us.
So how might one learn to seek God’s call? You probably won’t get a specific, direct call to save a nation like Jeremiah or Moses - and if you do, please share that experience. But each of us can decide to stay in the Word where God reveals how He wants us to devote ourselves to Him and live in service to one another. Our prayers should include asking the Holy Spirit to show us the gifts God has given us and the ways He wants us to use them.
Lord, I am truly humbled that You would consider me worthy to serve, to accomplish Your will here where I am. Holy Spirit, lead me, instruct me, and give me the courage to respond without hesitation whenever I feel Your voice calling me to respond. In Jesus’ precious name, AMEN.