Jeremiah

Have you ever read Jeremiah? I know that I have once when I was younger, but then I used to read my Bible just to see how much of it I could finish and I didn't actually always stop to actually think about what I was reading or how it applied to my life. Recently I've been reading a lot in Luke and Mark, lots of New Testament stuff, but then I thought of Jeremiah for some reason, and wow, so good! I have this Bible that gives an introduction to Jeremiah, and what I read there has stuck out in my head for a whole week already!

In the introduction, it talks about success and what my or my society's definition of success might be. It would be related to achieving goals and acquiring wealth, favor, prestige and power. Generally I would think that successful people enjoy the good life, are financially and emotionally secure, they are leaders, opinion makers and trend setters, their accomplishments are noticed. They know who they are and where they are going, are confident in meeting their goals (this is from the New Living Translation).

When measuring up to these standards, however, Jeremiah would have not been considered a success. He was a prophet for 40 years to Judah, but nobody listened, he was not rich and was thrown into prison, was rejected by his neighbors and family. He stood alone declaring the messages God had told him to say - and he was super successful in God's eyes because he was obedient and faithful to what God had called him to do.

That really stood out to me, that he was successful in God's eyes because he was faithful and obedient to what God had called him to do. So often I do measure people by what the world says that success is, and so often I don't even realize that I have taken the values of my society and made them my own; instead of going to the Bible and making those truths my own and living out of my relationship with Jesus. Oh Lord would you give me eyes to see the world as you do, break my heart with what breaks your heart and may I be faithful and obedient to what you have called me to do.

Jeremiah 1:6-10:

"Oh Sovereign Lord," I said, "I can't speak for you! I'm too young!"

The Lord replied, "Don't say, 'I'm too young,' for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord have spoken!" Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,

"Look, I have put my words in your mouth!

Today I appoint you to stand up

against nations and kingdoms.

Some you must uproot and tear down,

destroy and overthrow.

Others you must build up

and plant."