“And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring disaster on all flesh,’ says the Lord, ‘but I will give your life to you [as your only reward and] as a prize of war wherever you go.’ ””

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭45:5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

The book of Jeremiah is quite violent. Jeremiah prophesies the word of G-d again and again, warning the people to turn to Him, yet again and again they rebelled and denied Him. And the people hated Jeremiah. They put him a deep, miry pit. They bound him in fetters and chains. They beat him and rejected him. Yet, he kept going, kept speaking, kept praying, kept believing. 

And G-d’s word to Jeremiah? Your life will be a prize of war. In other words, Jeremiah would survive the destruction. He might not be rich with nothing of his own to claim. He might be wounded and broken. But, he will live. His life is his prize. 

Our pastor said today that at the end of his life he wanted it to be said that he did everything that was asked of him – that he laid it all on the line and went “all in.” 

What if I lived with that framework a little more? If I just stopped focusing on friends or the lack there of or if I just stopped dwelling on the numbers of moves and focused instead on how He used us in each place and the eternal impact, I’m guessing I’d whine a little less and praise a whole lot more. It’s a bold way to live and to love. I want to be all in and offer my life as a prize for His glory. 

Father – thank You for Your Word and for Your mercy. Help me to be content with the place we are and guide our steps home. You know our desire and our need. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen. 

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 41-45

August 21, 2022