(Photo: Lindy Twaddle)
Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NIV UK)
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 ‘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.’
6 ‘Alas, Sovereign Lord,’ I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am too young.’
7 But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am too young.” You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord.
9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.’
Reflection
A religion that skates over the top of our real experience of life is going to hold few attractions for the man or woman of our times.
We want a faith that addresses us where we are … reaches deep into the secret fears and deep-seated anxieties that are part of the reality of our personality … faith that brings strength or peace, or answers to nagging questions that refuse to go away.
Prayer
Lord, teach us how to speak about our faith in you – without arrogance or embarrassment – but with the gentle integrity of someone who knows the One they speak about. Amen.
Church of Scotland Advent Calendar
Journey daily with characters in the Nativity through video, reflection and prayer
TIP … from the blog
Circle me, Lord
includes a video of a 6-year-old sharing the benefits of encircling prayer when our faith falters.