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GRIP Thoughts - November 4, 2016

Have you ever felt insufficient and alone? When it comes to our faith, I think these are two areas that we often struggle with one way or another. And if we don’t struggle with them, then I think we often use them as excuses to avoid what we don’t want to do or going where we don’t want to go.

In the first chapter of Jeremiah we find God establishing why we need not ever feel insufficient or alone, and/or dismantling these as legitimate excuses.

God says in verse five, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart”. This is not peculiar to Jeremiah, the same holds true for us as well. And God goes on, “I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Take note: God never does anything without a purpose—which is to say, then, that your purpose predates you. Therefore, God has made us specifically for the purpose He has for us. In other words, you are uniquely qualified for what God has planned for you.

But God does not stop there. He goes on to say that He will provide for us all that we don’t have but will need for us to accomplish our mission.

One by one God addresses Jeremiah’s concerns. Too young? Nope, your age isn’t going to be a factor. Can’t talk? I’ll supply the words. Moreover, God addresses some unspoken concerns. Afraid you are alone? I am with you. Scared you are outmatched? Not even close, I will rescue you.

Our concerns may be the same or very different, but God’s answer remains… “I have got this.”

The question for me then is, “Will I trust Him?” Do I trust that God will provide what I need? Do I trust His presence is enough for me? And for me I hope that question becomes less of a question every day as I grow in my trust for Him.

But the thing about growing trust is that we have to step into the situations God asks us to take on where we don’t feel qualified or sufficient in order to see that God does come through for us. So when He calls, step out and watch Him show up too.

-Doug Baynton
(Lead Pastor)

Categories: Bible , Grip