I chose you before you were formed in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.    Jeremiah 1:5 HCSB

This Scripture passage refers to the call of Jeremiah to be a prophet to Israel. God is telling Jeremiah that before he was even formed in the womb, God had chosen him to be a prophet to the nations.

I love how Scripture confirms Scripture. We are studying Jeremiah in our Friday morning study and in Sunday School we are studying 1 Samuel. In Jeremiah, God tells Jeremiah that He had chosen him before he was formed in his mother’s womb.

In 1 Samuel chapter 15, Samuel tells King Saul that God is rejecting him as king and has chosen another man to be king. What’s interesting about this is God revealed this to Samuel 30 years before David is anointed to be Saul’s successor. Thirty years later, Samuel anoints young David as king. He is believed to have been between 15 and 18 years old at the time. We are told he was just a youth, the youngest of Jesse’s sons. This means that God had also chosen David long before his birth to succeed Saul as king.

God has a purpose for every one of us. We think of preachers and church leaders as being called for that purpose or into that role. But we are all called to do something.

I had a strong desire to be a probation/parole officer. After about 8 years in that position, I soon began to ascribe to something I thought would be better or at least better paying. I did all I could to make that happen. I was sure with all my hard work; I would get that better-paying job.

I grumbled and complained about the job I had. I strived to get out of there, but it became clear to me at some point that I was right where God wanted me to be. I had to bloom where I was planted. I quit complaining and began to bloom. God would open conversations for me where I could encourage my offenders to go to church and be obedient to God.

I realized I was right where God wanted me to be. What was even better is that once I began to do this, God gave me joy and contentment in that job I had been grumbling and complaining about. He also gave me some pretty significant raises and that same job offered the better pay I had been looking for.

When we stop doing it our way and begin to do it His way, it’s amazing how much better things will be. Even our hard times and our struggles won’t be so bad knowing Jesus is right there with us and we are working to fulfill His purpose. He will equip us with all we need to get through the hard times.

If you are struggling in any area of your life and thinking the grass is greener on the other side, pray about that. Pray that God will show you His will for your life. We are told in Ephesians 2:10 we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Before God created you, He had a purpose for your life. If you want to find true, unending joy, trust in Him. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).  Surrender your life to Him. Pray for Him to show you what it is He has prepared for you. Do the work He has called you to do.

It has been said, “If you enjoy what you do for a living, you never work a day in your life.” My job was demanding and stressful, but I enjoyed it. God provided well for me when I got busy doing what He had called me to do. He took good care of me and kept me safe.

He has a calling for you. Stop worrying about what you want and get busy doing what He has called you to do.

Have a great day!