Are You Called By God? 3 Truths You Can’t Ignore

On February 26th, 2025, I had an opportunity to travel to Cartersville, GA, to speak to the youth group at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Before I begin prepping for a message, I like to ask those who invite me to give me some insight into what they are currently studying or if there is any need I can speak into. I was encouraged to speak on evangelism and being called by God. I shared how, when I was a senior in high school, I started Know Ministries as a nonprofit organization and have used that organization to provide Bibles to children in the inner cities. More importantly, I transitioned into the call of Jeremiah and three important truths we can remember about being used by God.

I hoped the youth would leave their Wednesday night gathering that night encouraged by Jeremiah’s story. I wanted them to leave hopeful that God can use them. If God can call a young teenager named Jeremiah to preach to the nation of Israel, then God can use youth today to make a difference in this country.

But how do we know if we are called by God?

Are you sensing God calling you to something greater than you can comprehend? Are you willing to be used by God even if it means you feel you are not worthy?

I want to share three truths about the call of Jeremiah and how God was with him the entire time. You can take the inspired teachings from God’s Word as truth. I encourage you to apply these truths to your life and obey God when you know He has called you to a special task like He did Jeremiah. Let’s look at three truths from Jeremiah 1:5-8.

Chosen

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 was young in his calling. Scholars believe that he was most likely a teenager during this time. Some believe that Jeremiah was between the ages of 17 and 20, and others believe that he could have been as young as fourteen. Even though Jeremiah was young, his calling went further back than his youth. Jeremiah existed in God’s mind before the womb. God is all-knowing. He is sovereign. God knew the plans He had for Jeremiah before Jeremiah was born. The same is true for you today. The God who created the universe loved you enough to have you in mind. If you don’t feel known or appreciated tonight, you can take pleasure in the truth that God knows who you are. God knows the plans He has for you.

Concerned

Jeremiah had a big task. Imagine being a young teenager preaching God’s message to the entire United States. Imagine the emotional burden of knowing that you have been saved by Jesus. Then God tells you to preach the Gospel message, which tells others how to find eternal life and be forgiven of their sins, only to watch an entire nation reject it. Not only that, but he faced people making fun of him and preaching a false gospel.

No wonder Jeremiah had his concerns. We could all relate that we would be concerned if this was our calling. However, it is typical for all of us to be concerned when God calls us. We want certainty. Look at Abraham- God called him to go to a land that He would show him. Look at Noah- God told him to build a boat because of an earthly flood. Look at David- God called him to defeat Goliath and become a king, but he was young.

So, what happened to Jeremiah? Hear how Jeremiah responded in verse six.

“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

Jeremiah was afraid because he was young and inexperienced. We can all agree that we would have concerns if we were called to speak to an entire nation at a young age. What did Jeremiah do with his concerns? He told God the truth. He expressed those concerns to God.

God knew Jeremiah’s concerns, and he knows your concerns. You may be making excuses to God right now and saying things like Jeremiah did, that you are too young or inexperienced to make a difference. Perhaps you feel too shameful because you have a rebellious past and feel too far away from God. Perhaps you might have a physical appearance you think is holding you back. Maybe you completely ignore what God has called you to do because you do not feel interested.

Wherever you are in your concerns, remember that God already knows them. He knows you are not perfect, and He still offers Himself as a Divine Helper. Jeremiah needed a Divine Helper, and so do we.

Charged

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.

In verse 5, Jeremiah presents his concerns to God. But in verses 6 and 7, God responded with three points Jeremiah needed to remember. These three points are applicable to us today as followers of Jesus. God told Jeremiah: Go, Speak, and Do Not Be Afraid.

God spoke these words with encouragement and persuasion. He gives us the confidence that we need to obey His will. He strengthens us. As God told Jeremiah that He was with him and would rescue him, God is telling you the same promise. For the concerned tonight, God calls you to cast your fears on Him. For the called, God reminds you that He will not abandon you but strengthen you as you pursue His will. For the unbeliever, God invites you to a relationship with Him in which He will never leave but be with you as you grow closer to Him.

Jeremiah knew God was with him. Throughout his book, Jeremiah remained true to God. What about you? Are you remaining true to God as you walk in obedience to what He has called you to? I personally want to encourage you that there is no greater joy than being in God’s will. You may not receive fame and fortune, but you will find confidence in the place God has you.

It is not easy to walk into the unknown. Jeremiah is like Jesus in many ways, but Jeremiah never saw the fruit of his ministry. Yet, Jeremiah was faithful because he had a Divine Helper. He knew God was with him. Because Jeremiah was faithful to God, we can now read his story and be reminded of the truths we talked about tonight. Because Jeremiah shared his inadequacies, we can relate and learn how trusting God cures us of feeling unimportant.

Are you willing to obey God, even if you are concerned? Are you willing to trust God with your life by making Him your Lord and Savior?

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Look in the Mirror is my story of losing my hair to alopecia when I was nine years old. It is also challenging for readers to find their confidence and identity in God.