"The prophet Jeremiah gave a message to Baruch son of Neriah in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoaikim son of Josiah, after Baruch had written down everything Jeremiah had dictated to him, He said, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch. You have said, 'I am overshelmed with trouble! Haven't I had enough pain already? And now the Lord has added more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest.'
Baruch, this is what the Lord says, " I will destroy this nation that I build. I will uproot what I planted. Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don't do it! I will bring great disaster uon all these people, but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the Lord have Spoken!""
Jeremiah 45:1-5
Baruch was the assistant to the prophet, Jeremiah. Baruch has served Jeremiah for years. Jeremiah wasn't popular. He preached doom and gloom to the people of Jerusalem and Judah due to their disobedience to God. God told Jeremiah what to say and do, and Jeremiah obeyed. He didn't prophecy good things, like the other (false) prophets did. He prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people of Judah because of their disobedience and refusal to repent. And because these prophecies went against the popular prophecies of the day, he was arrested and threatened with death. As Jeremiah's assistant, Baruch's life was on the line as well.
At the point in time of this passage, it's apparent that Baruch seems to have had his fill. He felt that he had sacrificed so much in his life that he deserved something for all of the troubles he'd endured. Baruch is suffering from the Matyr Syndrome. He was more concerned about his sacrifices and what he felt he deserved more than serving God. He felt he was entitled to something more. But here is where God steps in and reminds Baruch of the bigger picture. You see, Baruch took his eyes off the real prize - God - and as a result, lost his joy in serving God.
Like Baruch, we too sometimes lose our focus - focusing on our sacrifices or what we've missed out on. When our focus shifts from God and His purposes to our own sacrifices, we become frustrated. We've all worked with people like this before...they work super late and long hours - not be cause they have to but because they want to - sacrificing their family for the job...feeling a sense of entitlement because of their sacrifice. And when their reward doesn't come or they aren't recognized by others, they become resentful. And can I be frank? There were times, as children's pastor, when I did resent the fact I was not home with my family late on a Friday or Saturday night because I was at the church vacuuming the children's wing or wiping down dirty tables. I felt I deserved to be home with them! But this is where the problem is...our focus shouldn't be on what we feel we lost out on or what we think we deserve, it should be on God - first and foremost! It ain't about us, anyway!
The bottom line is this, we don't need to be a Baruch. As we serve God, let us not focus on our own sacrifices or what we think we deserve. Instead, we should redirect our focus on the incredible privilege of serving a most wonderful and awesome God!
Grace and peace, friends!
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