The Process!

The Process!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” JEREMIAH 1:5 AMP

Today's extract is a popular one, and is the usual piece that comes in handy when we want to talk about God's purpose for a life and what I need to do to bring that purpose to pass. What is key first of all is the fact as God speaks to Jeremiah, all of His roles stated in today's extract are all in the past tense. In the proper process of time, this shouldn't happen, but when dealing with a God who himself lives in Time, then you know that the earth's regular processes cannot delay his purpose or deny his power.

First, before Jeremiah was born at a very specific time, God had already determined with precise certainty what he would become. Issues of ownership and usage were settled long before physical existence manifested. God didn't think of what to use me for after creating me, but He had a clear eternal plan, and then He formed and equipped me with the required tools to fulfil that plan. Knowledge by God is a complete package, and it means that there is nothing hidden from Him or outside his sphere of control.

Secondly, before physical life manifested, God had set me apart for his own use. A part of his total knowledge is the proper place, time and circumstances under which I am to survive and thrive. It is not enough for me to just be created; I must sort out my ownership and allegiance. Could it be that the reason why so many people struggle is because they are yet to fully embrace who they are and who they belong to. If you do not know who you are, how can you thrive where you have been planted?

Thirdly, closely linked to ownership is the assignment. For Jeremiah, he was to be a prophet to the nations. For others, it could be something else, but the foundation is this: my assignment will mean nothing if I do not know who I work for. Note the proper order: consecration before appointment. The world sees it the other way round: we want the perks of office and appointments, but we want to avoid the discipline of consecration. We see the world as our own stage, forgetting that we exist only at the pleasure of the One who created, holds and sustains all things, including the life we think we own.

If God knows me so well, can the same be said about me too? Do I know God? Do I seek Him out, to know what He wants for my life? Is the life He's given me available and surrendered for his exclusive use? Don't forget: He already knows me, so I can decide to surrender it now willingly or I could wait till eternity and then lose it all. As always, the choice is mine. His time of favour is here.