The young Hebrew man felt the flush of embarrassment. He turned to see who had startled him as he talked to himself.
Puzzled, he looked around, seeing no one. I know I heard my name, he thought. Maybe it’s that cruel Eleazar playing pranks again.
He hoped not. Though he had grown accustomed to the teasing that came from being the son of a priest, the young man still felt the sting of the laughter at his expense.
“Jeremiah,” came the voice again. This time the young man was certain he heard it, but who—
“Jeremiah!”
Jeremiah’s knees buckled, and he fell facedown to the ground. There was no mistaking it now: This was the voice of the Lord, and it filled him with terror.
“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.”
The young man could scarcely believe his ears. Me? A prophet? Surely there is some mistake!
Covering his face, he somehow managed to stammer, “Ah, sovereign LORD, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”
The Lord’s voice was firm yet compassionate. “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.”
A wave of nausea swept over Jeremiah. The familiar sense of fear and embarrassment rose up within him at the mention of the task.
But God continued, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.”
A surge of hope shot through Jeremiah’s heart. As God spoke, He raised Jeremiah’s head from the sand and placed His hand to the young man’s mouth. It felt as if flames were licking Jeremiah’s lips, their heat surging deep within his spirit.
“Now, I have put my words in your mouth,” God said. “See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Suddenly, a vision burned in the new prophet’s brain. He reached out his hand to touch it but felt empty air.
“What do you see, Jeremiah?” God said.
The man hesitated for a moment. “I . . . I see the branch of an almond tree,” he said with uncertainty.
“Very good,” came the voice of the Lord. “You have seen correctly.”
Again Jeremiah’s mind was consumed by another vision. Again, God questioned, “What do you see?”
This time Jeremiah spoke readily. “I see a boiling pot tilting away from the North,” he said.
Again God gave His approval. “From the North disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land.”
Jeremiah’s spirit leaped. God was pleased with him.
“Get yourself ready!” the Lord said and repeated His command. “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.”
The young man bowed low to the ground. God’s words had seared his soul. He would never be the same.
A Revolutionized Life
Put yourself in Jeremiah’s shoes. He probably wasn’t much older than you, and maybe you can identify with his sense of uncertainty and insecurity. He was minding his own business, trying to obey God’s laws and become a good priest. Then BAM! God revolutionized his life.
God had big plans, and His call came with everything His young servant needed:
Significance: God’s opening statements gave meaning to life. The Creator of the universe knew Jeremiah before he existed and had plans for him even then.
Tools: God was not concerned with Jeremiah’s protests. He provided the words and everything else Jeremiah needed for the task.
Protection: “I am with you and will rescue you,” the Lord said to Jeremiah. God knew this was a difficult assignment, but He promised His presence. When the Lord calls us, He doesn’t leave us by ourselves.
Practice: God wasn’t playing games when He asked Jeremiah what he saw. He was providing reassurance to the young prophet, sharpening his skills and clarifying His message.
Identity: Talk about encouragement! Do you think Jeremiah ever forgot the words God spoke to him that day? Jeremiah had viewed himself as a child; God declared him to be a fortress of a man who could not be harmed.
Jeremiah believed God’s words and acted on them. Thousands of years later, he is considered one of the greatest Old Testament prophets—a far cry from the timid, insecure young man he once was.
Becoming a Man of God
How do you see yourself? Where is your identity rooted? What is God’s calling to you?
• Get God’s eyes. Just like Jeremiah, God created you with unique and special gifts. He knew just who you would be and what purposes He had for you. Read Psalm 139:1-16. Compare your view of yourself to what God says in these verses. Repeat them to yourself when you feel insignificant.
• Answer the call. God probably hasn’t spoken audibly to you as He did to Jeremiah. But just because you haven’t received a specific assignment from the Lord doesn’t mean you won’t. Even more important, God wants us to know Him, serve Him, represent Him and obey His Word with everything we’ve got. How can you do that today? Do you sense God calling you to do something or go somewhere?
• Do it. Whether you’ve identified a specific or general calling, it’s time to stand up and trust God, not yourself. Make a plan today. Want to share Christ with a friend? Call and invite him to hang out. Feel like you should pursue a career as a graphic designer? Sign up for an art class at your school or a local community college. God told Jeremiah, “Get yourself ready!” (Jeremiah 1:17). You don’t have to fulfill your entire calling today, but get started by taking that first step. 
