A God-Given Assignment
For those of you out of school, let’s take a trip down memory lane for a moment. That first week back was always filled with mixed emotions. There was a bit of nervous excitement. It was fun to see people you hadn’t seen over the summer, an yet a twinge of nervousness over what the semester would hold. That feeling culminated for me at the receiving of the syllabi.
I’d quickly flip through to see the layout of the upcoming 16 weeks and read through the planned assignments and papers. I remember feeling a sense of dread during this practice. There was always this feeling of – I don’t think I can do that.
But then, of course I couldn’t do it just yet. That was the whole point of taking the class – was to learn. I was reminded this morning of Paul’s words when he said in his letter to the Ephesians, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesian 2:10).
Just as a professor has created an outline for their students to walk through over the course of a semester, God has intended a personal and unique assignment for you and I to carry out. I don’t know about you, but this brings the same sense of nervous excitement to my being.
For one, it brings a sense of purpose – you and I are intended for something specific. And yet, the imposter syndrome kicks in – but what if I can’t do it? Friend, there is a beauty to how God operates and it’s outside of our Western-curated, performance mentality. See, we’re told, again by Paul recounted the Lord’s Voice to him, “My (God’s) grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Let me pick up the analogy, a teacher’s job is to prepare, teach, and grow the students to a point where they are able to perform the necessary assignments. At the same time, there is a requirement that the student engages, works, and wrestles with the given material. Completing assignments necessitates this give-and-take.
Friend, our walk with God is not so different. If we don’t show up to class, we won’t know when or how anything is due. God desires that we would show up, seek Him out, and wrestle through life with Him. By doing so, we enable our spirit to receive the guidance of Holy Spirit and when we do fall short there is divine power at our disposal.
God has given you and I a specific assignment. This isn’t just a paper to write in order to “pass” a class. No, it’s the reason you and I are here. So, this ought to capture our full attention. Do you know your assignment?
The revelation can come in many ways. We have all been given specific giftings and your assignment will not only use those giftings – it will require them. It will also necessitate a dependency on God’s power, leading, and provision. Paul tells Timothy to “fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you” (2 Timothy 1:6a). He tells his protegee to practice.
The revealing of your call will not come apart from God. It will require persistent prayer, practicing the giftings you know you have, devoting time to the Word, and intentionally pursing a deeper relationship with God Himself. A teacher’s job is to prepare the students to accumulate the information necessary to pass the class. Regarding our God-given assignments, God, as we partner with Him, will prepare and provide everything we need to accomplish the tasks He has for us. This has far greater implications for us than passing a class – no, it’s very reason why you’re here.
