Are you distracted?

"'If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?'" (Jeremiah 12:5, NIV)

To be completely honest, this verse gives me no peace. For so many years I prayed, "Jesus, I dream of You using me!" And now that He does, I'm often overwhelmed by all the work that goes into it. So often I think, "I can't do it. I just can't do justice to everyone and everything."

But then I tell myself what I'd like to encourage you with today: "Don't just live your life—live your dream!" This dream isn't usually located on the road where the "pedestrians" are. It is where the horses race, as the verse above tells us.

Jeremiah had experienced what we all desire (or want to desire!) as Christians. God had told him personally that He wanted to use him: "'Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them…Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land…'" (from Jeremiah 1:17-18, NIV).

Jeremiah had God's direct support to live his dream, yet somehow he felt safer with the pedestrians. It was hard for him—even for a prophet of God!—to believe that God would make him strong.

This promise and exhortation in God's Word is for you, too! Please seriously ask yourself this question: are you hiding among the pedestrians with your dream? God chose Jeremiah, who said of himself, "...'I do not know how to speak; I am too young.'" (Jeremiah 1:6, NIV) God's answer was clear: "'...I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured…'" (Jeremiah 1:18, NLT).

Jeremiah was distracted by his self-doubt. What's distracting you? Rumination? Worry? Entertainment or social media? Are you spending hours on the internet comparing yourself to others while God is trying to tell you that He created you uniquely—just as you are—for a reason? He wants you to carry out His mission…and thus live your dream.

Yes, don't just live your life—live your dream!

You are a miracle!

Déborah