“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 

Jeremiah 1:5 

Read Jeremiah 1:4-10 

I’ve been appointed to lead at various times in my life—as a head coach in high school sports, as a youth pastor, on a school board, to lead the Center for Community Transformation at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and many other spaces. I’ve seen victories; I’ve also seen failures. I used to think that my genius was validated by my victories. This led to failures being followed by cynicism and “what ifs.” In my cynicism I tore down without regard to much else. In my vulnerability, I said, “I wish I was different, God,” whether it be younger, more experienced, better spoken, etc. Maybe you have felt this too. 

God reminds me: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I consecrated you.” The word consecrated means “having been made or declared sacred” or holy. In my times of failure, God sees me as holy. God made me this way and appointed me to lead in this role. 

Embracing my uniqueness can be difficult at times, especially in a world that seems to dislike differences. God said I am enough. I am holy not because of what I do, but because God said, “I consecrated you.” My holiness in God is not what I do, but who I am. Appointed to pluck up and pull down…to build and to plant. I must remember that tearing down is not enough, I am called to build and plant as well. Both my victories and my failures are God’s. I am God’s. 

God, you consecrated us before birth. Give us the courage to accept who we are, Imago Dei, to reject cynicism and embrace the hope of your promises fulfilled by holy childbirth in this time of Advent.