What Words are in our Mouths?

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

"Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy."

But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a boy,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD."

Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."

What Words Are In Our Mouths?

Jeremiah! His book of the Bible is not an easy read, but his is a story I’ve always loved from the time I first read these words – when I was still a young person of faith. No matter what our age, I think we can relate to Jeremiah’s doubt that he has anything to add to his moment in time. That’s why I’ve always loved the idea that God tells him he’s known him from the very beginning. He knows who Jeremiah is, he knows what he can do, he knows that though Jeremiah’s road won’t be easy, his words will make a difference.

So today, I’m wondering, what words are in our mouths? Do we sense that the God who has known us, and does know us, has words for us to say? Or write? Or pray? Do we sense that the God who knows us from the inside out has words for us to be – to live out – to exemplify in our actions? Are the gifts we have being called to life?

We aren’t all prophets, we aren’t all poets, we don’t all consider ourselves gifted in the area of speech – but God has given us gifts, and this might be the time they are ready for us to use. In the words of another of my favorite books (Esther) – Do we have words in our mouth “for such a time as this?”

Reflection Questions:

1) Do you have a sense of how God is asking you to share whatever words or gifts you’ve been given today?

2) What is on your heart today? Take some time to write down what you see that you feel called to pay attention to.

3) What community do you belong to that might want or need to hear something from you?

Prayer: Dear God, How can we join in what you are doing today? In Jesus Name, Amen