Our value is found in God’s gracious call upon our lives.

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“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 English Standard Version

Beaver Creek, Colorado

There is nothing more pathetic looking than a chairlift in the summer, especially when you view them up close and personal.

Thousands of people use this chairlift at Beaver Creek every winter. There are lines so long that you hope to at least get one ski run in before the lift closes. You’re made to ride the lift with others even if you don’t know them. No solo riders on this lift.

How different it looks in the summer. Granted there was one lift open at Beaver Creek ferrying people to the disc golf course, restaurant and miles of biking/hiking trails, but this lift was forgotten. It was useless.

Maybe that’s the way Jeremiah felt when God called him to be a prophet to the nation of Judah. Assyria had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, and Babylon would soon be tormenting Judah. He prophesied during Josiah’s reforms only to watch those reforms disappear…and nobody listened to him. How useless it must feel to speak God’s word when nobody is listening.

Yet, God announced Jeremiah’s value when he called him to be his spokesman. God had formed him in his mother’s womb. God had set him apart for his purpose even before he sucked in his first breath of air. God appointed him not only as a prophet to Judah but to the nations as well.

And Jeremiah’s prophecy is still changing lives.

God formed you in your mother’s womb. God set you apart for holy purposes even before your eyes were opened. God appointed you to do his work. And he has done so through the grace of his Son, Jesus Christ. Your value is found in God’s redemptive call.

You are not useless even though you might feel like a chairlift in the summertime.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner