I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.
Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT)
Last week was a fun week for me because I spent a day with my young nephew, Cole. To him, I am Aunt Wanna, since he can’t pronounce the “d” in my name. So I will just stay Aunt Wanna—that’s fine with me. Technically, since he is the son of my niece, I am actually a great-aunt and Cole is my great-nephew. Humm…that does make me sound old.
Cole is an energetic, little, 20-month-old boy. He has a curious mind that quickly soaks up knowledge, just as a sponge soaks up water. He watches people and then mimics them. Further, just like any other normal, mischievous, little boy, Cole tries to test the limits of what he is allowed to do.
As I was babysitting for Cole, he helped me dust the furniture. He looked adorable with his little dust-rag, following along behind me wiping off things. I showed Cole how to dust off the top of a table; I also showed him how to dust all of its cracks and crevices. You know those little hidden areas where dust likes to hide. Cole was a fast learner and enjoyed dusting the furniture with his great-aunt.
Later, after it had warmed up outside, I took Cole out to play. We played T-ball, rode on toys, transplanted plants, and pulled up weeds. I pulled weeds, he pulled flowers. We had great fun!
While I was pulling some weeds, Cole decided that it was time to test his boundaries. Surely, he could go wherever he wanted to go, and do whatever he wanted to do—couldn’t he?
Cole started walking down my driveway towards the road. I told him no. He looked around at me, smiled, and then continued on his journey towards the road. Once again, I said no, but this time with more emphasis. Cole turned around, looked at me, and smiled. After a moment of hesitation, he again started walking towards the road. Finally, I started moving towards Cole while firmly saying, “Cole, No!” He stopped. Cole had tested his limits and found that he to abide by set boundaries.
While this little story about my babysitting adventure is fun, how does it relate to a Bible lesson? What can you learn from it? Plenty!
Stop and think about the miracle of life. Hidden deep within your mother’s womb, your life began. Miraculously, your body formed, your brain developed, and your heartbeat began. You grew arms, legs, fingers, and toes. That is a miracle of life. That is a gift from God.
Before you were formed in your mother’s womb, God knew you. He appointed the time and the place of your birth. He orchestrated your physical birth and He provided for your spiritual rebirth. He has a wonderful plan for your life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
After you are spiritually reborn, your once darkened mind becomes open with a new level of consciousness. You now know that life does not stop at your physical death, rather it extends beyond the grave unto eternity. And like my great-nephew Cole, you begin soaking up knowledge. You receive a new spiritual heart and begin to learn a new language and a new behavior.
As you are spiritually growing, God instructs you how to remove the dust of sin from your life. He shines His light of truth on all the hidden cracks and crevices in your heart. He illuminates those dark corners where sin likes to dwell. He shows you how to clean up.
Just like my great-nephew Cole, you too may test your boundaries. You may veer from the straight, narrow road leading to heaven, and journey towards the road of destruction—the road of sin. God will tell you, “No.” Perhaps the first time, you may not listen. Once again, He will tell you, “No.” Each time, His “No” becomes firmer; until eventually, you learn to obey God’s commands. You are God’s child and He has a wonderful plan for your life.
In order to prepare you for the wonderful plan that God has for your life, He has to remove sin from your heart. Is God currently illuminating any cracks and crevices of hidden sin in your life? Are helping Him dust away the sins of your heart by obeying His “No”?
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Psalm 139:14-16 (NLT)
Three Key Concepts:
1. Your life is a gift from God.
2. God knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb.
3. God has a wonderful plan for your life.
