14 July | Youth
«“Alas, Sovereign Lord”, I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”» Jeremiah 1:6, NIV
Charlie Brown is the main character of one of the most popular cartoons known in the world. In English, this show is called Peanuts. Charlie is a shy boy who has a pet beagle called Snoopy, who is accompanied by his faithful friend Woodstock, a little yellow bird.
Both the character Charlie Brown and his creator, the American cartoonist Charles Schulz, are the sons of barbers and have similar personalities. Schulz himself recognizes this in his biography, stating that Charlie is a kind of self-portrait: an introverted, insecure boy who has doubts about himself. Furthermore, most of the characters in the cartoon were inspired by people from Schulz's daily life, who even suffered from mockery from schoolmates.
While Snoopy lives as a hero in the dream world, Charlie is a collector of failures in the real world. This is the core of the humor and philosophy of the cartoon. Charlie Brown is captivating because he is a caricature of ourselves, who live with sadness and frustration every day.
The Bible tells the story of a young man who was also insecure and sensitive. His name was Jeremiah. When God called him to be a prophet, he soon shied away, claiming to be incapable for the task. “I don’t know how to speak and I’m nothing more than a child!”, was the excuse of Israel’s “peanut.” In his two biblical books (Jeremiah and Lamentations), the prophet recorded his adventures, his failures and his lamentations. This is why some call him the “crying prophet.”
Although Jeremiah had a more melancholic temperament, God saw great potential in him. The “introspective prophet” wrote one of the greatest books in the Bible, overflowed with unparalleled emotions and concepts. Furthermore, because he was an honest and prayerful man, Jeremiah knew how to endure challenges, such as hunger and loneliness.
Maybe you identify with Charlie Brown or Jeremiah in their failures and inabilities. Who knows, maybe you have already become a laughingstock and don't think you are worth much. God believes in you. He is capable of turning losers into celebrities, for His glory. Do not give up!