A Different Measure: Finding Perspective through the Story of Jeremiah

He was the prophet that prophesied when Israel fell captive to Babylon. He preached but no one listened. He was imprisoned by his own people. He wept and spoke and interceded but there was no tangible change in the hearts of man.

It looked hardly like a successful ministry by any man’s measure. But God didn’t see it that way.

Its Chinese New Year, and if you’re like me, you might find the constant chatter of comparison, expectation and ‘humble’ boasting rather tiring. Don’t get me wrong. I love the festivities, the gift giving, the reconnection and the laughter. But days of ‘big gatherings where that rich uncle throws you a meal worth a month’s salary for an average person’ can leave me questioning my significance and abilities if I am not careful.

I am happy to acknowledge I fall into the category of the average person. And sometimes I’m not very careful and do question my abilities and significance. Thankfully, during this time, I happen to be going through the book of Jeremiah, which has provided me with a bit of perspective on life so I avoid that nasty trap of comparison. Here are a few thoughts on life, significance and impact if you are struggling like me.

1. Everyone’s call is different

Israel had messed up bad. Time and time again, the Lord had warned the nation, beckoning them to turn back from idolatry but the people refused to listen, bringing calamity upon themselves. Jeremiah was chosen to be a prophet to proclaim God’s warning to them during this season. Jeremiah’s call was personal, intimate and affirming.

In Jeremiah 1:5 God speaks to Jeremiah personally,  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations” 

A prophet to the nations by God’s standard. Yet he had no following, the Israelites still were taken captive in the end, and the two books that Jeremiah wrote (Jeremiah and Lamentations) are books possibly interspersed with tears and groanings.

Maybe it was because of this God affirmed Jeremiah so strongly of Jeremiah’s chosen-ness. I mean its hard to believe you are chosen when the evidences seem contrary.

How could God still call Jeremiah a prophet to the nations? Why would God still call Jeremiah to do what He did if He knew it would fall on deaf ears?

There are often more questions in answer to the questions above. However, one thing is for sure, God never belittled Jeremiah’s call based on the worldly definition of success. God personally affirmed Jeremiah that He was called such that there was no doubt.

Maybe you do ask – Lord, I’m just an ordinary girl, how can I be called? There are other people who do way much more for the Kingdom of God than me.

Everyone is called differently. And while some people’s calling may be more visible and directly fulfilling than others, it does not mean that your call is any lesser than another.

This Chinese New Year, I’m learning not to diminish myself and melt into the pavement when someone who appears more successful than me is around. Instead, I’m choosing to faithfully do what I believe I am called to do this season. If its to be a friend to the broken, I will happily embrace them. If its to intercede for the nations, I will boldly approach God’s throne, knowing that God calls us all for a specific task at hand, whether its visibly productive or not.

More importantly, this Chinese New Year, I’m choosing to tune my ears to the voice of My Good Shepherd, who affirms me time and time again that I am loved, I am cherished and I am His.

2. Its whose side you are on that matters

“If I need to choose – I’d choose God’s side, even if in the world’s eyes I loose.”

I think that was what Jeremiah’s stand was. At times, it was like the whole of Israel and Judah was against Jeremiah, and Jeremiah was against them, yet Jeremiah chose to take sides with God and not idolatrous Israel. He understood that God’s heart really was for His people even though in Judah’s eyes, Jeremiah was more like a traitor.

For many believers in the world, the choice to be on God’s side may mean a similar thing. They face persecution by religious authorities, rejection by family, are side-lined in a job, ridiculed or even executed or thrown into prison.

God sees and God weighs. At times He is so compassionate that He withholds judgement AND ALLOWS HIS PROPHETS instead to bear the brunt of things. Know however, that in the grand scheme of things, and at the end of the day, He will judge and reward righteously.

So maybe you are not that successful in the eyes of the world because you chose to say no to that lucrative career that involves compromise. Or you have dedicated life and time to developing your character instead of your bank account.

Be assured that there is a righteous judge who does see the silent sacrificing you have made for God’s Kingdom. And trust that it will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33) even if you may fully see the adding on in this life or the near future. And keep choosing God’s side as God enables you, just as He enabled Jeremiah.

3. God sees our situation from the perspective of eternity

Time will tell. And in the context of eternity, time can be a tricky thing. We do not see everything from this earthly timebound perspective, and its easy to judge situations and the legitimacy of our work based on that.

But God sees things from the perspective of eternity. And to God, Jeremiah’s role as a prophet was eternally significant although Israel did not turn and in the eyes of men it seemed like his ministry had not much earthly reward.

And maybe in the eyes of the world, you may seem falling behind, doing a lowly job such as cleaning or waiting on tables. But God sees us from the context of eternity.

You may not have preached to a thousand men in a rally, but you may have been that one individual that welcomed a homeless man who became a believer whose grandson later becomes a missionary.

We do not know. But I guess from the book of Jeremiah, I am reminded not to measure my impact by my own standard. Rather to trust God to justly see and reward and faithfully grow in love, patience and perseverance. Willingly leaving a legacy even if it is unseen by the world.

Blessed Chinese New Year to my Chinese friends, and remember that you are loved and you are seen and the Lord does not measure you according to the standards of this world.