This, combined with last Sunday's sermon (the first installment of "The Assignment" series") still fresh on my mind reminded me of something I wrote about five years ago, and while the bulk of it is --for lack of a better word--useless, there are a few things that still strike a chord in me:
Lesson number one: function where you are. Don’t become a part of something because you want to make friends or because certain ministries seem more glamorous. If you don’t like to sing, if you can’t sing, don’t join the choir because you want people to see your new outfit. Sometimes, your purpose is simply to encourage the person sitting next to you.
Lesson number two: take God at His word. We have to trust Him. Period. God tells us what we need to know, when we need to know it. He prepares and equips us for our purpose; if you aren't sure what you're supposed to do, ask. He's not stingy. He's not going to give you something to do and not help you complete the task. He is more than capable of providing everything you need to do anything you need to do.
Lesson number three: don't overstay your welcome. When you have completed the assignment, move on. To quote my pastor, "When we are outside of our assignment, God has no responsibility to bless us." I know this to be true from experience. I worked in the children's ministry for seven years and served as a leader for the last two. When God told me that assignment had ended and I didn't move immediately, I could feel the shift in my spirit. I was more irritable, I went from having a million and one ideas to feeling like not being bothered; from feeling inspired to feeling obligated. All of which could have been avoided if I had simply moved when I was supposed to.
I know we sometimes get confused and think that things are about us. But they're not. We have a tendency to avoid conversations with those who are always talking about themselves. Isn't it better to receive a compliment than to toot your own horn? If we don't like it, surely we can conclude that God does not. My life, your life, our purpose is so much greater than who we are. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other (1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT). Okay, now let us collectively get over ourselves and get busy operating where God wants us.
I used to have it bad trying to do my own thing. I didn't realize that my life isn't mine. All that I am and all, all that I will be belongs to God. So now I preface every decision with a prayer. I encourage you to pray it with me:
God let my wants come into alignment with Your wants. If this move/decision is in Your plan for me, I thank you for opening the door and making the way. If this is not in Your plan for me, I thank You for better. Amen
