Not Very Good
However, if we stopped doing everything that we weren't very good at we would have a lot of free time on our hands!
Jeremiah 32:1-44
Reference: v.17 "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." (NIV Bible)
Explore: My friend Derryn plays the piano beautifully. I could spend hours listening to his playing and watching him 'tinkle on the ivories'. The other day I discovered that he has been playing for nearly 20 years. While that is a great feat, I quickly did the maths in my head and realised that in fact I have known how to play the piano for longer than Derryn. I remember twenty four years ago as I walked down the road to Mrs. Edmunds' house for my very first piano lesson. However there is a great difference between my piano playing and Derryn's. It's like comparing a five year old writing their name for the very first time to a professional calligrapher! Just because I know how, doesn't mean that I am good at it. I don't even try to play the piano any more because I know there are others that are so much better at it than I am.
Application: I am often so quick to compare myself with other people. No matter how good I get at something there is always someone out there better. When I read through Jeremiah's prayer in chapter 32 I am reminded again that people are better at things than me. I don't feel I'm very gifted at praying out loud and when I read the beautiful words that Jeremiah offers up to God I am reminded of my inabilities. However, if we stopped doing everything that we weren't very good at we would have a lot of free time on our hands! Just because I do not give the most elaborate prayers in the world doesn't mean I should just throw it in completely – like I have with my piano playing. The great thing about prayer is that God wants to hear from us, no matter what words we use. We don't have to use big words or even many words; we can just tell God what is on our mind at the time. And sometimes it even helps to use someone else's words to express how we are feeling or what we are wanting to say. I'm sure God loves beautiful poetry and elaborate words, but He is more interested at hearing what is on your heart today.
Prayer: Why don't you use your own words for the prayer today…
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.