Who? Me?

Just ask my family. They’ll tell you that when it comes to taking on new challenges, I tend to underestimate myself. I lack credentials or experience, or there’s someone who could do a better job. I have many reasons why I shouldn’t chair a committee at church or volunteer at school or accept the position at a high-powered magazine. But they all boil down to two paralyzing thoughts: “I’m not good enough” and “I’m afraid.”

So I sympathize with Jeremiah when God calls him to be a prophet and Jeremiah says he isn’t up to the job. I know what it’s like to feel young, inexperienced and inarticulate. Not smart enough. Not talented.

Yet God doesn’t take “I can’t” for an answer. At the beginning of this reading, God tells Jeremiah that God knows what he’s doing. God knows Jeremiah well and deeply. God created Jeremiah, blessed him and chose him. God will give Jeremiah everything he needs to carry out his vocation. God says, “Don’t be afraid.”

The next time I’m asked to venture outside my comfort zone, I need to remember that “God doesn’t make junk!” God believes in me. Do I believe that God will give me the courage and the ability to accept God’s invitation?

SRN — SRN