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“BEFORE I FORMED YOU…” (JEREMIAH 1:4-10)

The theme for reflection is “Before I formed you…” The phrase “Before I formed you…” means God is the creator and we are His creation. The complete phrase is “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, (Jeremiah 1:5 ). We shall reflect on the fact that our existence is not by accident because God created or formed us for His purpose.

Beloved in the Lord, our existence in this world is not by accident, the omnipotent and omniscient creator brought us into existence for His own glory and purpose. It was for this reason Jeremiah said “The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ⁵ “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:4-5). In other words, before God brought our spirit and body into existence in our mothers’ womb He already had a purpose for our lives. No wonder, the Psalmist greatly reminds us that “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalms 139:13-16) Beloved in the Lord, to discover who we are and to live a purpose-driven life we must have a relationship with our Creator who is ever ready to have a covenant with us through our Lord Jesus Christ. We observe that after creating mankind God gave them an assignment and purpose for their existence, indicating that before God formed us He knew us. “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” ²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27). Beloved in the Lord, your existence or coming into this world was already known to God because He is your creator. It must be our desire to always avail ourselves by responding to His call. We must learn to say with Samuel ““Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10), because before God formed us He knew our and potentials and abilities.

It is important to know that when God call us for His purpose, He already knows our weaknesses, anxieties and limitations, therefore, He cleanses and empowers us for service or ministry. Jeremiah said, “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” … “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” ⁷ But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. ⁹ Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. ¹⁰ See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:6-10). Beloved in the Lord we may feel limited, inadequate and helpless because of a known or perceived weakness or challenge in our lives for which we are unable to fulfil our God-given purpose or assignment in our congregations, workplace, community and family but the Lord has greatly assured us that “… do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10). All we are required to do is to avail ourselves regardless of our limitations and the Lord will make us whole or complete for His purpose.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme, “Before I formed you…” “Before I formed you…” means God is the creator and we are His creation. The complete phrase is “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, (Jeremiah 1:5 ). We have discovered that our existence in this world is not by accident because God created or formed us for His purpose. All we are required to do is to avail ourselves even with our limitations and He will cleanse and use us for His purpose. Shalom.

PRAYER
We surrender ourselves to You, almighty God. Use us for your glory, the edification of the Church and the expansion of Your Kingdom. Amen.