Every child of God has some purposes that are universal: fellowship with God, learning His Word, evangelism, etc. Every child of God also has some purposes that are unique to them: talents, Holy Spirit giftings, ministry, temperament, etc. I would like to take these thoughts one step further and talk about assignments. What are our specific assignments for the moment? Do assignments change? Are assignments optional? Do we choose them or does God?
According to the New Concise Webster’s Dictionary, an assignment is a setting apart, allotment or appointment. We all have universal purpose and specific purpose. Breaking this down even further, we have assignments or things we are specifically set apart to do at a given time for a specific purpose. God uses these assignments for our spiritual growth and character development and for the good of mankind. Our obedience towards completing these assignments can determine the rate of growth we have in our walk with God.
Many people today are frustrated in their walk with God or even walk away from Him without a clue of what is wrong. It seems like roads to ministry or spiritual growth is blocked and they do not understand this. I believe that many times they have either not completed an assignment or have said “no” to God in regard to a specific task. Let me give you a few examples.
You love music. You feel a strong call to music ministry. It fits your temperament and you are talented. You sing and practice and feel ready to join the music team but the door is blocked. You feel thwarted in an attempt to fulfill your purpose. Were you wrong in what you thought was your calling? In many instances, the answer is no. No matter what your calling and desires are, God will give you assignments that will seemingly have nothing to do with them. Are you being faithful in the little things? Have you worked in the ministry of helps, things like nursery work, greeting, ushering or maintenance? Your spiritual and character development is important to God and He has laid out a path for you. He does not want your gifting or calling to get ahead of this development.
Personally, I feel a strong call in prayer, women’s ministry and writing. God has given me a heart for women, desire to pray and a talent in writing. Yet over the past twenty years, I have worked for 3 years in preschool church, 3 years in women’s ministry, 2 years in nursery, worked a lot in the ministry of helps, have directed dramas, published a church newsletter and numerous other things to help fill needs. Many times I did not understand how certain assignments would help me in the long run. I found out that God was developing me in my character and spiritual growth as I trusted Him and worked in these other areas. There were things I could learn no other way except for certain assignments working with specific people. I believe we can learn something from everyone!
Assignments are chosen by God and are not optional if we want to grow. If God gives you an assignment, He will give you the gifting and anointing to finish the task. Looking back, I often wonder how I was ever successful in some areas; areas I felt unqualified for. God always gave me the tools and ability to complete any task He set before me and the great thing is He didn’t expect perfection; just obedience.
Some of you reading this article have assignments you have not completed or have steered away from. It could be working more in the ministry of helps at church or visiting the hospital or nursing homes. Some of you know you are called to help in the nursery or to greet but you keep making excuses. God is calling some to more Bible study or prayer time but you are too busy. The very thing you are dreading may be the very thing God has placed in your path for spiritual growth and blessing! But you will never know until you step out with God and tackle your assignment! Remember: you have been set apart for such a time as this!
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.christian-article-bank.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites