Confidence

"Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.

But the Lord said to me:

Do not say, 'I am a youth,' For you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak....Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant."

- Jeremiah 1:6-10

The story of Jeremiah is a great one. He was called out by God to be a mouthpiece that would proclaim a difficult word to the people of Judah. The first few verses in this book describe a turning point where Jeremiah moves from a normal routine into the challenging call that God had appointed for him. He was on the verge of entering a great new opportunity.

Notice Jeremiah's initial reactions:

1. "Ah Lord God!" - Anxiety
2. "I can't speak for I am a youth" - Doubt in capability and power

You can't blame Jeremiah for his reaction. I mean c'mon, he was called to go before leaders and tell them that they need to change how they live and renew their relationship with the Lord.
Jeremiah did what most people would do. He looked at himself first.

Aha! #1: Look in the mirror and you will see your biggest challenge.

When you read Jeremiah further, you will find our hope and a key message. It was God who called him. It was God who would give Jeremiah the words to say. It was God who would protect him and it was God who would establish Jeremiah's authority.

Aha! #2: God is big time. We're small time. God still works with us, around us, and in us.

You will be called to a new challenging opportunity. As an Evangeleader, new promotions, new jobs, new projects, big meetings, and new leadership roles are going to be a part of your life. Its a fact that Gen X and Y leaders will find themselves in these situations. Fear, anxiety, and doubt are bound to arise but we can all learn from Jeremiah's life that confidence is not an innate gifting. The confidence you need to take on the next "big thing" in your life comes from God alone. Don't believe the hype of those 7 step books that say confidence is found by exercising your inner strength. Heh?

Aha! #3: True confidence is a by-product of God's strength and grace working in your life.

Its not a one time experience. Confidence is developed over time as you allow Christ to flex a little muscle. Move forward when you hear the call and remember what the Lord says..."I am with you".


Pop the Culture,

B.A.P