When faced with challenges, we often create a game plan to overcome and minimize the challenges. This passage reminds us that God has given us tools to protect us, and empower us to succeed in faith and life. But it requires that each day we take up the tools and resources that God has provided for us.

Struggle, failure, and losing, are all things that few people aspire to do. But we are reminded that we will experience all of those at times in our journey of faith. But faith is a marathon, not a sprint, so be strong, keep your head up, and remember that the one empowering us is far greater than our weaknesses and failures.

A good athlete knows that all training is not equal. To achieve a specific goal, you must engage in a specific training regiment that will allow you to achieve that goal. Paul says that our faith is no different. So engage your faith intentionally, with purpose.

For us to grow stronger, it requires that we stretch ourselves, and get pushed to the limits. There is a misperception that faith in Jesus makes life easy. But in fact Jesus shows us that faith doesn’t remove temptations and hindrances from our lives, but faith gives us an advocate on the journey.

What is this going to cost? Who is going with? What is the goal here? Before we make any decision we often ask for lots of information, detailed plans and itineraries, and budgets. In this passage though, God’s asks an open ended questions, I need help, who will go for me? Isaiah’s response, Send me. So when God calls out to us to go for him, what will we say?

I don’t have the right training. Won’t I limit the effectiveness of this work because of my shortcomings? I can’t do what you have asked. But Moses is asked, who said that my work has to be done that way? God has a different plan for to do his will, one that overcomes Moses’ own shortcomings and weakness.

I am not qualified to do this. I am too young. This can’t possibly work. Fear and uncertainty is a powerful force that can quickly derail us. Yet God’s calls back to Jeremiah to remind him that our job is to step out in faith, and trust that God will take care of the rest.

Being called by God is not easy. Often we can get discouraged waiting to see things to come fruition as we hoped. But Joshua is reminded her to stay strong, stay on the path you were called to, and God will stay with you. Joshua’s call is a reminder that we will need to be strong to stay on the path that God has called us to.

We are all made in the image of God and filled with His Spirit, so that each of us have the ability to create, to use our minds and abilities to create.

Something special happens when God gets involved in our lives. Ezekiel sees a vision of something that just cannot be, life coming to a place where he could only see death. The things God tells to his people don’t always make sense, but they tell us something about what God has in store for us.