Before I formed YOU

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5 — “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.”

Have you ever questioned your purpose? Perhaps you’ve wondered if your best days are behind you, or if your gifts and callings are still relevant. Life may feel like it has passed you by, or that the world has moved ahead while you’ve been waiting. Yet God has a very different perspective—one that reaches far beyond time, age, or circumstance.

In Jeremiah 1:5, God says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” This is not just a poetic idea; it’s a profound truth. God didn’t meet you for the first time at birth, or even when you made your first decision of faith. He knew you intimately, personally, and with purpose before you were ever formed. He saw your personality, your heart, your story before the first cell divided. You were not an accident. You were not an afterthought. You were deliberately created by the God of the universe, fully known and fully loved.

The verse continues: “Before you were born I set you apart.” To be set apart means to be chosen for a divine purpose. God doesn’t just form bodies; He forms destiny. Even now, in this season of your life, He has a calling uniquely tailored to your experiences, wisdom, and gifts. Your past, your journey, and even your challenges have been shaping you for this moment. Your life is not ordinary—it is divinely designed.

For women over 50, this truth is especially comforting. Society often whispers that our influence is over, our usefulness has expired, or that our dreams are no longer relevant. God whispers back: “I knew you. I set you apart. I still have work for you to do.” Your age does not diminish your calling. Your life experience enhances it. Your story is your authority.

So how do we embrace this truth today? First, we begin by trusting God’s intimate knowledge of us. He knows our strengths, weaknesses, passions, and fears. Nothing surprises Him. We can rest in His awareness of every part of us. Second, we accept that being set apart comes with divine purpose. You are not wandering aimlessly; you are moving toward the fulfillment of God’s plan for your life. And finally, we step forward in faith, using our gifts, experiences, and wisdom to impact the world around us.

Consider this: God appointed Jeremiah as a prophet before his birth. He did not wait for Jeremiah to prove himself worthy or capable. Likewise, God has appointed you for influence, service, and blessing—your season of impact is not over. Perhaps it’s just beginning.

Take a moment today to reflect on your life. What experiences, skills, or lessons could God be using to fulfill His purpose through you? How might your story inspire, heal, or guide others? Remember, every challenge you’ve faced has been part of the divine shaping process. Every success, every setback, every joy, and every sorrow has prepared you to step into the fullness of God’s calling.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what ways have you doubted your purpose or relevance, and how does Jeremiah 1:5 reassure you?

2. What experiences in your life do you now see as preparation for God’s purpose?

3. How can you step into your God-given calling this week, fully aware that you were known and set apart before you were born?

   
   

Prayer: Lord, thank You for knowing me even before I was formed in the womb. Thank You for setting me apart and giving me a unique purpose in this life. Help me to embrace the gifts, experiences, and wisdom You’ve given me, and to step confidently into the calling You have prepared. Let me live fully aware that I am known, chosen, and appointed for Your glory. Amen.

Affirmation: “I am known by God. I am set apart. I am appointed for a purpose. My life is not over; it is divinely designed.”

Your Turn, Beautiful Friend:

If this spoke to your heart today… Share in the comments how you are living out your calling.

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