Divine Assignements

         "They'll do the work I sent them to do; they'll complete the assignment I gave them."
                                                      Isaiah 55:8, The Message Bible




Life in Christ is a wild adventure! It is neither for the faint of heart nor for the doubters. It is a mind-blowing, nail-biting series of steps that ultimately lead to the finality of our journey here on earth. We finish our assignments and step into eternity to cheer on the next generation of believers.

God holds the master plan and He is the One who gives out the assignments and then directs our steps accordingly. Each one of us was born for a reason, which is our divine purpose, and it is that purpose that will lead us to our assignments in Christ. Because God developed our purpose before the world began (Ephesians 2:10), we must discover it by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Times and seasons also reveal the handiwork of God. I truly believe in this New Year that there is so much promise that is before us. I believe it is a year in which we will walk in greater vision and purpose. I believe it is a year of alignment and breakthrough and really walking in what God is calling us to do.

To know for certain what that is we must really get alone with God, seeking both His presence and His purposes. We are promised that those who "seek (inquire and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing" (Psalm 34:10). Certainly it is His will to specifically reveal His purposes and assignments in our lives.

The uncertainties that arise come from our end. Sometimes we feel unqualified for what God calls us to do. Jeremiah did. He thought he was too young for his assignment to be a prophet but then God reassured him that He would put His Words into Jeremiah's mouth. God followed through on is promises and Jeremiah completed his assignment.

Other times, we can be intimidated by a God-sized assignment. This is what happened to Moses when God told him to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Not only did God support Moses through his insecurities (Exodus 4:10-11), He also brought Moses into his potential by exhibiting His power (Exodus 4:1-17). He did all of this to reveal to Moses that He was with him and that He was all Moses needed.

God understands our frailties but He also loves us too much to leave us stuck in them. He bids us to "Follow" and promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. His Spirit ever compels us to walk by faith and not by sight in order to accomplish all that He sets before us.

If we let fear rule and reign in our hearts, we will run from our assignments like Jonah did. However, running will never change the assignment God has ordained for us. When we eventually get tired enough from fleeing, our assignment will still be waiting. The book of Romans tells us that "God's gifts and His call are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29).

There is a stipulation, though. We do have to daily receive His grace in order to complete our assignments. God gives a daily outpouring over our lives that must be received by a surrendered heart and life if we are to bear the quality and quantity of fruit that God has purposed. It is His provision and it is He that receives the glory.

God matches our gifts with our assignments. If you clearly see your gifts and strengths and talents and look at them against the backdrop of people and circumstances God has placed in your life, you will begin to have more understanding of your calling. He deposits His gifts and Spirit within us and then places us and positions us for success and victory.

Like the Wild Fig Tree in Mpumalanga, South Africa, that has roots documented to be 400 feet deep, our character must also match our calling in order to be sustainable. God will direct our journey to mold and shape the character we will need, but this does require our cooperation. Henry Blackaby says, "Nothing is more pathetic than having a small character in a big assignment. Many of us don't want to give attention to our character; we just want the big assignment from God." Without adequate character development and sanctification, we will stumble and potentially fall.

Our assignments will also determine the suffering and the attacks we encounter. After Paul described his assignment as a preacher and teacher, he said, "For which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know in Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12). It was because of his calling that the attacks came.

God can even use our families as a training ground. They may misunderstand, doubt, or even betray. Jesus understood this because we are told that "Neither did His brethren believe in Him" (John 7:5). While our families may long to humble us, it is Satan that desires to destroy us. When we survive our families, it is a great indicator that we will survive our calling.

Our adversaries are just as important to our development as our friends are. Promotion comes when we stand against our enemies and determine we will not be conquered. Much of our assignment has to do with how we problem-solve  and how we overcome. Jesus had assigned adversaries and we are told that we will, too (John 15:18-21).

We do not need to worry about having what we need for our divine assignments. God will provide everything we need. While He may stretch our muscles of faith in this area, His Word promises over and over again that He will provide for His children. Especially for what He calls us to do.

Therefore, we are gifted, equipped, anointed, uniquely positioned, called, and empowered for our divine assignment. We are strengthened and favored for the tasks at hand. There is a purpose and plan in each of our lives to ultimately reach the 7 billion people on this planet with the Gospel. God is beckoning us all into His perfect plan and purposes. Are you ready to really walk in your divine assignment?


"Christians are not left in the world by accident, but are placed there on divine assignment from their Lord."
                                                                 John MacArthur