It amazes me how uniquely each person is created. There are personality inventories which try to pigeonhole us into typologies. However, all introverts are not the same. All extroverts do not like the same things, act with the same mannerism; nor do strategic leaders or managers. Each one of us is precisely and preciously made in God’s Divine image with no two of us exactly alike.
Far too often we generalize about people. Frequently judgments are formed simply on the premise of how a person looks, talks, eats, or dresses. Today we are celebrating the original unique beauty of you. Without generalized prejudgments, ancient opinions, or voices from our personal past, we are invited to claim our personal Belovedness of God.
I watched a movie this week, Tulsa. The nine-year-old orphan named Tulsa, tenaciously knew her truest identity. Regardless of how people spoke to her, judged her, or spoke about her, she held true to who she was. This amazing story of transformation, based upon real-life events is an invitation for us today as we seek to embrace our radical unique gift of God-life lived through each of us.
The Scripture
It was a specific historic time. God knew exactly who and what people, roles, and character was needed. Before the prophet Jeremiah was born, God knew. The call of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 1:4-10, invites us to consider the unique desire and design God has for each of our lives.
When the voice of God came to Jeremiah and told him what his unique place in living God’s love was going to be, Jeremiah said, “Who Me?!” and he made an excuse. Afterall he was only a youth. Jeremiah expressed human fragility. Human fragility and fears are so very common. But ultimately, fragility and fear are not barriers of one’s manifestation of God love through our life.
God’s assurance to Jeremiah embodies how God’s Word empowers and opens the way for Jeremiah to live as a prophet. He lived his unique gift of life as God placed God’s Words within his mouth. So, Jeremiah set off on his unique path for love of God through the words and actions of his life.
Today’s Prayer Practice
You are uniquely created by God for God’s good purpose. What things in life have you exclaiming, “Ah, this is truly who I am?” Today we seek to discover God’s role and deep desire for you so that you may embody God-love in your life. If you have time this week, you may want to view the movie Tulsa. As you view the video, image what gifts her with such clarity of heart? How does the clarity of her heart become the foundation for all her actions?
You are uniquely solely desired by God to live an embodiment of God love that only you can do. As you discern your unique self and life path forward, spend time this day writing Prayer Sentences.
Like the call of Jeremiah, which has three parts: first God’s initiation, next, Jeremiah’s resistance and third, God’s assurance and empowerment through Jeremiah’s weakness. How will you respond to the three stages of God’s call for your life in this season of personal and cultural history?
Prayer Sentences
Write three words on the left-hand side of a paper. Beside each word, write a sentence clarifying for this moment in your life how God is whispering to your heart.
1. Call (Write a sentence here of how God invites you to the next step of faithful living.)
2. Resistance (Write a sentence here of how your human fragility and fear resists God’s call.)
3. God’s assurance (Write a sentence here of how you hear God’s assurance to breakthrough resistance.)
When your sentences are completed, imagine God’s commissioning Words to you for next steps of faithful living. Once the commission from God is finished, offer a prayer of dedication and thanksgiving for God’s call in this moment of life and your desire to move into this new way of God filled action.
Enjoy praying.
