Do It Without Complaint

Jeremiah 1:5-8 - The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "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." "Ah, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.

Jeremiah had a heart for the Israeli people. He wept many tears through intercession before the Lord on behalf of the people of Israel. The Lord called Jeremiah to a prophetic ministry. A ministry where few are chosen and will be loved or hated for all that the Lord gives them to say or do. The Lord called Jeremiah before his parents even came together. God knew who and what he was going to create and that Jeremiah, even as fearful as he was, would do and say as the Lord required of him.

He had many excuses for everything; one being that he was only a child and did not know how to speak. Nevertheless, the Lord knew Jeremiah's heart and knew that Jeremiah would do as his Father asked of him. He was still obedient to his Fathers call and will.

The Lord does not want to hear our excuses, but he does want to see our obedience without complaint. The Lord has called each of us to do a work, a duty as vessels for His kingdom. Not that we may glorify ourselves, but that Christ would be glorified. Whether it is going down the street corner to proclaim Christ, teaching the youth, rebuking the saints, leading worship, encouraging or even helping, we all have a duty in the Lord to do. A duty that must be done without complaint and with all the joy that we can possess.

How often do we let that fear of man and situations overcome us? How many excuses have we come up with to get out of doing things for the Lord? We are too young to teach. We are illiterate. We are not worthy. We do not know how to sing. We cannot stand up in front of a crowd. I feel sick. I am too emotional right now. I am too upset right now. I do not know what to say.

We forget that it is not about us. It is about the Lord. It is about doing all that we possibly could while we were here on this earth to prove ourselves worthy of the kingdom of God. We are to go with the leading of the Holy Spirit. Even with our complaining and rebellion, the Lord will make sure that His Word to the people gets done. Even if he has to use a donkey to get us to listen and obey.

Don't be a Jonah and learn the hard way. He ran from God and tried every way he could to get away from speaking that which was on the heart of God. Look where he ended up. In the belly of a fish.

Don't rebel, but excel to do your best for the One you serve. I encourage you to do the task set before you. You know what you have to do today. Do not go the hard route as many of us often do. I encourage you dear brothers and sisters in the Lord to do the work the Lord has called you to. Fear does not come from the Lord. Don't let your age, your voice, your serving, your teaching or education stop you from missing the greatest joy you could possess. The joy of receiving your reward that can only be given by the Lord. The joy of seeing the rebellion changed and renewed. The joy of seeing a person give their hearts to the Lord. The joy of seeing the Holy Spirit move upon the hearts of man.

Also, remember that if the Lord leads you to the other side of town, state or even country, He will be with you. He will not leave us without the leading of his spirit, for without it we will not know what to say or do. Even if we fall into the hands of our enemies, the Lord will rescue us even if it seems like there is no-where to go. Even in those moments of trial, persecution or even torture. It is all for His glory. What greater reward it is to die for your Lord and Savior. To be persecuted for serving and doing the will of the Lord.

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