WHAT IS YOUR ASSIGNMENT? THE POWER OF KNOWING WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU UNIQUELY TO DO.
Understanding your assignment is not merely about finding a job, but about recognizing the specific purpose and impact you were uniquely created to bring to the world. Do you understand that God has specific assignments for you? He does. Jesus understood He had assignments as evidenced by what He said in John 17:4: "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do." The Apostle Paul understood he had assignments seen in his statement in Acts 26:19-20: “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds." Throughout the Bible when people understood their unique assignments it produced freedom, fulfillment, resilience, power, and purpose.
And here is the truth: God has likely called you to pray for and support specific people. God has also likely called you to love and share with specific people and to serve in specific places and ways. So how can you better discern the unique assignments that God has given you at this time in your life?
Here are seven specific ways you can better understand your unique assignment:
1. Regularly Seek God in Prayer, Meditation, and Scripture Reading: Devote time to separating from distractions and listening to the Lord. For example, Moses took time away from his daily work and activities to hear from God. It changed not only his life but also the lives of millions of people.
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” Exodus 3:1-4
2. Examine Your Passions and Desires: Reflect on what brings you joy and what you are willing to sacrifice. God often places His calling within our deepest, God-honoring desires. Do you find satisfaction in mentoring and investing in people? God might be calling you there. Do you get satisfaction from hosting gatherings that bring people into proximity to Jesus like Levi (Matthew) in Luke 5:29-32? God might be calling you in that direction.
3. Identify What God Has Put in Your Hand: An assignment is often attached to a particular skill, grace, experience, or gifting you possess. When called to go to Egypt to liberate God's people, God told Moses to notice what he held in his hand. What was common to him. God then used what was in his hand to bring powerful witness to a nation.
Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”
4. Look for Divine Open Doors: Note where opportunities arise effortlessly or where you receive affirmation and support from others. Barnabas and Paul pursued important missionary opportunities when they saw open doors and evidence of God's grace.
News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw evidence of what the grace of God had done. Acts 11:22-23
5. Seek Wise, Godly Counsel from Others Who Know You: Consult mature believers and leaders who can offer perspective on your spiritual gifts and calling. God often uses other believers to unlock our assignments. Paul helped Timothy understand his assignment as a pastor and leader.
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. I Timothy 4:13-14
6. Actively Walk in Obedience: Start moving in a direction, as your assignment often reveals itself progressively through taking action and being faithful in the small things, rather than waiting for a complete map. What steps of faith can you take this week?
7. Be Content and Don't Compare Yourself to Other People's Assignments: Your assignment is given by God and is good enough. You might think what you are doing is small and insignificant compared to others, but know that it is highly significant in the sight of God. Jesus healed one man at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5. It was highly significant. Philip led one Ethiopian leader to Christ in Acts 8. It was highly significant.
Ultimately, understand that your assignment is a unique, valuable, and God-given task aimed at bringing glory to Him and serving the Body of Christ. Press into God in this season and discern what He is uniquely calling you to do.
