God Set Each of us Apart as His Holy People

God is also in control of our lives. He tells Jeremiah: "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you." Abraham without question followed God to a foriegn land. Even St. Paul, imprisoned and facing possible death, kept the faith and even proclaimed that God would deliver him. He would be spared either from prison for more service to the Lord or by death into eternal life. We may not rule nations, kingdoms or giant corporations, but we can offer God's word to all who need it. When we realize that he guides and controls everything around us, we see that he also leads people to us to hear his word. In this way, God's will on earth is done here on earth as it is in heaven.

In doing God's will, God told Jeremiah that he was to "uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow." This was needed in Judah since the Jews had become calloused in their worship. They came, but they only watched. They offered, but it was only to give an animal and not their hearts. They robbed the poor of their treasures and justice. More important, they robbed the poor in spirit of the Gospel. God was an added fixture to their lives. He was kept in the back of the closet, in case of emergency. Only problem was, when the Babylonians came, the fire extinguisher was empty. God left them as they had left him.

Yet God did not leave them forever. For God did not tell Jeremiah just to tear down and destroy. But he also said: "to build and to plant." The fires in Yellowstone this summer will bring forth a new, vibrant forest. The Law burns out that Old Adam in us; the Gospel brings forth a vibrant new man eager to do works of service to the God who created and saved him and has a purpose for him.

We are no longer rummage items not knowing our purpose in God's kingdom. Seek out your talents and use them. Use them no matter how insignificant they seem to you. In God's sight your gifts have been given to serve the common good. They are a vital, God-given gift. From a small acorn arises the giant oak tree! Show others that God has pushed that boulder up the mountain for

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