Chosen to Receive God's Vision

Scriptural Focus for Meditation: Jeremiah 1:1-5

It’s a new season and manifestation time is upon us!  As we look around in this new season, I hope you can perceive and SEE God’s hand beginning to move. However, to begin to make sense of God’s movements in our lives, our ministries, and in the lives of our community, we must have divine sight. As I reflect on the ministry of Yeshua (Jesus), I can’t help but ponder on His repeated statement about having “eyes but not seeing” and “ears but not hearing” highlighting a deeper spiritual issue beyond mere physical sight and hearing. Though the people around Him could literally see and hear the miracles, teachings, and healings, they often failed to grasp the deeper meaning behind His words and actions.

Verses such as:

Matthew 13:13–15 (ESV)

"This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:‘You will indeed hear but never understand,and you will indeed see but never perceive.For this people’s heart has grown dull,and with their ears they can barely hear,and their eyes they have closed...’"

Mark 8:17–18 (ESV)

"And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, 'Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?'"

Mark 4:12 (ESV)

"...so that 'they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.'"

Luke 8:10 (ESV)

"He said, 'To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that “seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.”

In other words, Jesus was pointing out that comprehension and faith go beyond physical sight. In order to ascertain (verb: that means to find out, learn, or determine with certainty; make an effort to discover and verify the facts or truth of a situation) God’s movement in the earth, perception using all seven senses through a heart willing to receive truth determines whether they truly “see” and “hear” what God is revealing. It is receiving the revelation of God through (1) sight, (2) sound, (3) taste, (4) smell, (5) touch, (6) proprioception and (7) vestibular senses, that our souls can interpret what Holy Spirit is revealing to our spirit.

 When Jesus reiterated these words, He was challenging His listeners (and, by extension, all readers of Scripture) to move beyond surface-level understanding. In doing so, Jesus underscored the importance of not just “seeing” signs and wonders but perceiving them and genuinely taking them to heart. This distinction pushes believers to strive for a faith that is marked by insight and responsiveness rather than passive observation.

What is Vision:

In the Christian context, vision refers to a divine revelation or a clear sense of purpose and direction inspired by God. It is often tied to spiritual goals, mission, and the fulfillment of God’s will in an individual's life, a community, or the world. It reflects a forward-looking plan or calling rooted in faith. Vision represents God's guidance and revelation, which brings order, purpose, and hope. It is through vision that we receive DIRECTION.

In Jeremiah 1:1-5 we get one example of how God gives vision for the mission through divine choice and equipping. Here we witness the CHOICE of God- the prophet Jeremiah- and in verse 5, we see the heart of God in “choosing” the elect for the vision and the work.

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.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

1.        Formation:  This Hebrew term yāṣar  is typically used to describe the process of shaping pottery. It appears in Gen 2:7 as part of God’s act of creating the first human from the dust of the earth. The seed of God’s will and all that we need to perform it is in the womb of our soul before birth and is given to us by God who chose US before we were able to choose ourselves. Before you knew God, God knew and knows you; and has a specific plan for you to accomplish in the earth.

2.        Conception: The Hebrew word yāḏaʿverb for “to know” is used to describe the most intimate of relationships. Yahweh’s claim to know Jeremiah in this manner gives a sense of predestination. God had a mission BEFORE Jeremiah’s formation!  Our omniscient God formed Jeremiah with this mission in mind. If God formed Jeremiah with such precision, it should serve as a reminder that we serve the same God. Our God, 'ĕlōhîm is the same God and has devoted just as much intention in our formation and conception.

3.        Consecration: God set apart or qāḏaš  consecrated or divinely equipped Jeremiah before he was born.

These 3 stages complete the process of divine choice, “I formed you … I knew you … I consecrated you.” This divine choice is God’s OPINION of the matter and was necessary for Jeremiah’s identity development as a prophet to the nations.  Identity formation is necessary before you receive the call. God formed YOU.  God knew and knows YOU.  God consecrated you.  Accepting THIS is necessary for your identity development. God has uniquely designed you to fulfill a special part of Gods plan in the earth. The CHOICE  happened before the CALL.

Once God has CHOSEN you which means you are equipped- then God calls you. Both are needed to receive and discern/understand the vision.

Written by Rev. Sha'Leda A. Mirra, PhD- Senior Pastor of St. Paul AME Church

January 4, 2025