The Lord gave me this message:

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.

— Jeremiah 1:4-5

Hanging in my office is a picture painted by my youngest daughter. The woman in the painting is hunched over holding a bowl half filled with water. She sits stooped under a dripping rock in the dry desert. She is alone. Her life depends on the liquid hope that falls from the stone. Drop by lonely drop, she holds her bowl steady. Without waiting, she won’t survive. It isn’t easy. She doesn’t search for a better way or seek a faster source. There isn’t one. Here in this barren land, her need is met, not in great torrents of relief, but in the slow step of steady reliance. 

Have you ever felt that way? Alone. Waiting for the agonizing drip of life-giving water and wishing your life was somewhere else altogether? What happened to bring the woman to this point of desperation? For each of us, the reasons are different. Our unique stories create a beautiful tapestry of brokenness and joy, disappointment and trust, plenty and want, darkness and light. Where do we search for our fulfillment? What is our source? Does it seem dried up? 

Jeremiah Didn’t Feel Ready

This is the place we meet Jeremiah. In the dried up, barren wasteland that used to be known as God’s Promised Land. Years of neglect and poor leadership meant the people of God were infected with corruption and sin. The Temple, meant to be the dwelling place of God, stood devoid of His presence. Instead, the fragrance of incense burning to pagan gods replaced true worship. Priests, who were supposed to protect and lead the people, ignored the needs around them. 

In the midst of one of the darkest times in Israel’s history, God chose an ordinary man to speak His words of life. Jeremiah’s message called the nations to turn to God with bold obedience. This was a hard truth for those with authority and power. But, for the faithful few who prayed and waited for God to intervene, Jeremiah offered hope in the darkness. 

Jeremiah wasn’t exactly thrilled about the prospect of being a prophet of God. He felt overwhelmed and afraid. “O Sovereign Lord…I can’t speak for you…” (Jeremiah 1:6). Yet, God’s promise to Jeremiah is a promise to me, and to you: “…go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you” (Jeremiah 1:7-8). 

When The Results Are Invisible

I’m just a common, ordinary person from a nowhere place with no audience. I often feel unworthy to play any part in advancing God’s kingdom. How could God possibly use someone as insignificant as me? Yes, there will always be someone more qualified, more suitable, more capable. But, if my perspective is limited to what I can do, what I lack, what I fear, then my focus is in the wrong place. The truth is my feelings of inadequacy don’t disqualify me from God’s plan. He will use me despite my weaknesses.

Before I was born, God knew me. He set me apart before I even took a breath. Even though I may not see the fruit of obedience in this lifetime, my obedience doesn’t depend on results. Obedience is an inward movement toward God that leads to outward results. I believe the God who promises to always be with me. Drop by drop, God fills my life with everything I need. Like the woman who sits under the rock waiting for her provision, my posture should be one of quiet dependence, trusting that God will use me in His perfect time for the purposes He has already ordained.

(Original artwork: Acrylic on canvas, Liliana Bell, 2025.)