Jeremiah was a teenager when he had an eye-opening experience with God. God appeared to him and said, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you to be a spokesperson for me.” Jeremiah was overwhelmed by that announcement. His response was, “Can we talk about this, God? You must be knocking at the wrong door. I don’t know how to speak. I’m not good in front of a crowd, and I am only a youth.” “I am only” are some of the deadliest words in the vocabulary. Those are words of inadequacy and insecurity. Those are dream-killer words. “I can’t do that because I am only a lay person, I am only a teenager, I am only a retired person, I am only a secretary. I am only this or that. I can’t make any difference.” Jeremiah said, “I am only a youth. I can’t do this,” and God booms back at Jeremiah and says, “Don’t say you are too young or that you are only a teenager. You can do it. You go where I send you. You say what I tell you to say. You don’t need to be afraid, for I am with you.” No matter where you are in your life right now, God has something for you to become, something for you to offer that can make a difference for Him and others. Don’t say, “I am only, I am too old, or too young.” You may not be able to save the world,but God still has something that He needs for you to do.
– Dr. Tim Thompson