Created for a Purpose • Jeremiah 1:4-10
By Bobby McKay
My 12-year-old vehicle with 190,000 miles needed some attention. Various messages, sounds, and indications coming from the instrument panel prompted me to take notice. One warning that seemed to be more persistent than others had to do with the brakes. It should be noted here, I am not mechanically inclined in the least. I drive the vehicle, put gas in it, have the oil changed, and put air in the tires. That’s about it. The highest achievement of my work on cars is when I once changed the tail light by myself.
Over time, I took my vehicle to different mechanics and none could diagnosis nor remedy my supposed brake situation. I had almost given up any hope for resolving the issue when I decided to seek assistance from a gentleman in our church who is known to be one of the best mechanics in our area.
Like I had done repeatedly in the past, I explained everything in detail and waited for an answer. He proceeded to open the hood, unscrew a cap, measure with his thumb, retrieve some brake fluid from his shop, and pour it in. He finished his work by starting the vehicle and showing me the warning lights had been corrected.
After all that time of me stressing, visiting other mechanics, and becoming increasingly frustrated, he fixed my brake problem with a three-second pouring of fluid. The best part of the whole experience is he did not even charge me!
The moral of that story is that things others may discount or overlook can have significant value. Now, I understand you and I are both of far greater value than brake fluid, but do not miss my point. There can be times in our lives where we wonder if we are much good to anyone else, not to mention God. When we fall into that trap, rest assured God has known you and had you in his plans for eternity. You are not only the product of your parents, but you are also part of God’s plan and He has a divine purpose for you.
Jeremiah was an unlikely messenger from the Lord. Like many in the Scriptures, he felt as if he was doing God a favor by reminding Him of his perceived weaknesses and limitation. “I am not a good speaker. I am too young,” were examples of Jeremiah’s reasoning with God. Granted, Jeremiah would be called to a task far greater than he could accomplish in his own strength, but the same God that called him to the task was the same God who would enable him and give him the abilities needed.
God has never made a mistake, and no one is an accident. There is a greater purpose and plan for each person that extends beyond going to school, securing employment, and raising a family. Long before you were born, the Father desired to know you and use your gifts and talents to bring Him glory and lead people to a personal relationship with Him. Every life — everyone — is important to God.
Many churches will pause this Sunday and recognize what has been called, Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. This is a good and notable cause. When we recognize all people as having been made in the image of God, we begin to see their worth and value. As members of the body of Christ, we have the opportunity to be an advocate for all people.
We have lost sight of the fact in our society that when we disagree with someone, we are still to love them. The words of Christ, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” need to be reintroduced and remembered by each of us.
God has created each person with purposes far greater than any of us can imagine. Every individual will spend eternity somewhere after they die. How well are we as Christians showing them the love of Christ and making disciples? Politics, culture wars, and opinions will all come to an end one day. When that time comes, what will we have to show for what God has entrusted to us?
For some, it may be obvious on a large scale. For others, it could be something equally as important as brake fluid. Do not undercut your value! No matter how great or small you may think you are, you were created to do amazing things for God.
Let us remember the words of famed children’s author Dr. Seuss to close out the lesson this week: “Don’t give up! I believe in you all. A person’s a person, no matter how small! And you very small persons will not have to die. If you make yourselves heard! So come on, now, and try!”
McKay is pastor of Pleasant Grove Church, Brookhaven.
