God told Jeremiah, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…sanctified you [set you apart]…I ordained you a prophet to the nations.’ Let’s take a closer look at each of these points: 1) God knew you. The word knew means ‘to have intimate knowledge of’. When your fingers were just a web, before your heartbeat registered on the monitor or the doctor could predict your gender, God knew all about you. ‘You…scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe’ (Psalm 139:16 TLB). God knew what you were born to be, and provided everything you’d need to fulfil your purpose. 2) God sanctified you [set you apart]. Psalm 4:3 says: ‘Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him’ (NIV). God has a purpose for you, but that’s not the only reason He’s set you apart. He doesn’t want to treat you as a servant, someone who just does what they’re told because they have no choice. God’s set you apart because He loves you and wants a personal relationship with you. He wants to be able to talk to you about all your thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams. 3) God ordained you. Men may ordain, but only God can foreordain. Stop worrying about who does or doesn’t recognise your gifts. John Mason says, ‘Each person has been custom-made by God the Creator. Each of us has a unique and personal call on our lives…to be our own selves and not copies of other people.’ God told Jeremiah, ‘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’ (Jeremiah 1:7-8 NLT).

What now?

As you read your Bible, make a note of any verses you come across that talk about being called by God.