mobilizing sight into prophetic vision.

This post is an abridged and adapted version of a sermon written in November 2021 for a youth group. Might there be an invitation to all of us, both young and old, to follow what Gen Z models in seeing what is broken, and living in a way that brings healing to the World and the Church? Jeremiah the Prophet stands as a biblical example of these ideas, which will be explored below.

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“…Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations”… And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” –Jeremiah 1:4-5, 11, ESV

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Some of the biggest questions of life can be put this way: Who am I?

And beyond that: Where do I belong? And what am I here for?

All of these questions find their answers in the idea of calling. Our identity, belonging, and purpose come together as we combine the truth of who we are, where we belong, and what we were created to do into one idea. 

By looking at our context, answering these questions becomes just a little more doable.

Who are you?

First and foremost, you must know that you are a child of God. Only with God’s help can we live out our callings. Our Creator knows what he created; so if we are not listening to what the Creator says about us, we will become caught in lies about who we are.

And yes, we are children of God. But all children of God are not the same. Each of us is a particular age; each of us connects in a particular social circle; each of us comes from a particular family and place. We all have a history, and all of these things put us in a context that the person next to us may or may not share. All of these experiences shape the way we live and interact with the world around us—for better or for worse.

A pastor in my life asked me a question that has stuck with me since, and amazingly it ties right into the passage above. You’ll notice, God asks Jeremiah: What do you see?

This pastor asked me, “What do you see that’s wrong in this world?”

One person may see pollution and litter everywhere they go. Another person particularly notices the homeless. Still another can’t shake the feeling that there is something wrong about the way the Church interacts with unbelievers.

There is a lot of brokenness in our world. And I think Generation Z is especially willing to see it. This generation (as well as the Millennial generation) is more vocal about social justice issues than previous generations. Mental health, environmentalism, and racial justice are just a few issues particularly privy to this generation. The point is not to demand people care about any one of these issues. The point is to answer God’s question:

What do you see? What’s wrong with this world?

And now I want to suggest: What if God is giving you eyes to see this problem because he’s calling you to be part of the change?

Each of our answers will be different because God has called each of us uniquely—but the common mission is reconciliation, healing, and redemption.

We just talked about experiences we’ve faced, some good, some bad. Those experiences change us, especially the way we see.

But we’re reading about Jeremiah, a prophet.

Prophets help others to see what they couldn’t see before—they pick up on the ways God is moving in the world around them, and invite others into that same mission. Prophets are God’s voice in the world.

This is huge.

As children of God, we are called to be God’s witnesses in the world around us. We are called, like Jeremiah, to bring God and His Spirit and His truth to our contexts.

Maybe you’re discounting yourself because of your age. You’re never too young—or too old.

Well, Jeremiah said the same thing. And God told him plainly. “Don’t say that. Don’t be afraid. I will be with you and I will give you the words.”

God has sent us His Holy Spirit to be with us and to guide us every step of the way. If we keep asking God to guide us, we can trust that He will!

Proverbs 16:9 says: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (NIV). 

And we return to the question: What do you see?

Think about this, really do. It might take some time, because it’s a big question. But ask God, “Stay with me on this,” and he won’t let you forget the question.

Here was God’s response to what Jeremiah saw. 

“You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”

In other words, it is God’s responsibility to carry out his plans. We just have to be obedient to the next step. That takes off a lot of pressure, doesn’t it?

Let me encourage you: “be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). 

So who are you? You are called of God to carry his healing in a unique way to the nations. What you see may very well be what he’s calling you to bring reconciliation to. God’s people are a nation of priests and prophets. You carry him with you wherever you go, seeing and hearing what he wants to show and say to you.

Where do you belong? You belong with God’s people, and with the people he’s given you compassion for. Though you love all people, you find your sense of belonging first in your Father, and then in the people he’s placed around you—because he’s placed you together with purpose.

And what are you here for? You’re here for all of this, to carry God as a unique vessel in his kingdom.

So, what do you see? Might God be raising up a generation* of prophets, those who see with his eyes and his ears what the Spirit is saying to the Church and to the World? May we join him in this beautiful vision of the healing of the nations (Rev. 22:2), by living out our callings in the circles he has placed us. Amen.

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*In the Spirit, a generation is not necessarily bound by age.

Disclaimer: This is merely an excerpt and many claims made here are unsubstantiated since this is a blog and not an academic journal. However, consider my email open for conversation about these concepts such as prophecy, the priesthood and prophethood of believers, and how such a reading of this passage comes about. I love discussing these ideas and have devoted much study to them and would be happy to share resources or write in greater depth on these topics at a later date. I look forward to hearing from you!