Jeremiah, Jarel and Timothy....??

Damn that Lemon Drizzle was nice!!!
Anyway, I thought I ought to explain the name of this blog.
It's pretty simple! Jeremiah and Timothy were both Bible characters. Jeremiah was called by God at a pretty young age and Timothy also known as St Timothy was St Paul's right hand man. As someone who began preaching at 15 I naturally related to both Jeremiah and Timothy as good role models. When I was in the early stages of vocational discernment and was really trying to work out exactly what it was God was calling me to, one passage from Timothy was quite literally a God-send!

'Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.' (1 Timothy 12-16) NIV

Here the Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy his "true son in the faith" who was appointed Bishop of Ephesus. My understanding is that Timothy came under much criticism for being appointed a Bishop at such a young age and so Paul writes to him as he always does, to encourage and support him.
I've always gone back to this piece of Scripture when I've felt that my calling has been undermined by older, "wiser" Christians. It's good to know that I'm not the only one whose call was doubted because of my age and it's helpful to read about prophets and preachers like Jeremiah, Samuel and Timothy who had similar experiences.
As Christians we know that God alone saves, but its essential for us too to realise that as Christians we can be God's instruments in bringing that salvation to others. After all, salvation is both and event and a process. While we are saved at the time of conversion, we are still being saved in the sense of being further formed into the image of Christ Jesus.

Loving Lord, as we prepare to get back to our busy hectic routines this coming week help us to be always a kingdom people. Help us to keep alive within our hearts the joy that you bring to us at Christmas. Teach us to learn how to be carriers of The Word so that we may share that joy with those we meet. Give us peace, and courage to face the tasks ahead of us and may your blessing and your peace which is so adequate, rest upon our hearts and souls, In the name of God, Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and have a great week!