The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 1:4-8

When stories compete

The book of Jeremiah starts out with God telling a story. The story of who Jeremiah is, who he’ll become, and what he’ll do.

Some people use words like “destiny” or “fate” when referring to outcomes in life. The word “fate” derives from the the latin word fatum which literally means “that which has been spoken.”

So, God is speaking something to, over, and about Jeremiah. His “fate” if you will. But, Jeremiah is telling a different story. A competing story.

“I don’t know how… I’m too young.” (verse 6)

Now before we give the young lad a hard time for arguing with Almighty God, let’s at least acknowledge that he’s merely recounting the facts.