SONS AND DAUGHTERS ON ASSIGNMENT

As I recently embarked on a new writing adventure – a fiction piece (not the picture shown here which is my non-fiction book about Abba Father) – I was describing the eternal realm when I had an epiphany. Among the endless differences between heaven and hell, I realized that in the place of eternal death there is no labor, no work, no assignments, no achievements. There is no purpose, no plan.

Some day we will all step out of time and into the eternal, and Scripture says that those who go on to be with the Lord do have assignments. They will sit with the Son, judge angels, and rule nations, and who knows all what else. The very intrinsic nature of God’s vast creation is laced with purpose—trees release oxygen that people need to breathe, bees pollinate flowers so the floral world can reproduce, the sun warms the earth so that life can exist…assignments that give life, sustain life, promote life in some fashion.

From the beginning, God created mankind for His pleasure and with purpose, to be fruitful and have dominion. Mankind was given an assignment for keeping and cultivating the earth with the presence of God, kingdom purpose, spiritual gifts, and with natural and innate abilities unique to each of us. Jesus came with an assignment of redemption. The Holy Spirit has been sent for a purpose of empowering the believer. Angels are sent with assignments of ministering to the heirs of God. The Church has assignments of service in multiple expressions. The Bride of Christ has an assignment to make herself ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb.

It is not human, but divine, that we search for purpose and significance—the plan of who we are and the works we are created to do. To be Christ-like is to embrace life as a son or daughter on assignment from the Father—a specific work that has global impact, whether we realize or not, no matter how small it seems in our own eyes.

What is your assignment? Do you know? Here are some steps to help bring clarity.

1. What is your temperament and personality? Take some on-line tests if you don’t know. God “wired” you in a particular way for your assignment.

2. What are your God-given abilities and talents that are just waiting for the breath of the Spirit to empower for service? What do you like to do? What peaks your interest, “floats your boat”? Where do you feel energized?

3. What are your spiritual gifts? You can also take on-line tests for these to help show you the strengths that God has put within you.

4. What is the Father saying to you? It may be a re-occurring thought that resonates as a desire to do something, some good in this world. It may come as comments from friends who know you and recognize your abilities. You may recognize His voice in a particular passion or dream.

5. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you, to give you wisdom and understanding about your particular assignment as a son or daughter of God. Ask Jesus to continually fill you with His Spirit—His understanding will guide you.

You are here for a reason. You have been commissioned of God with an assignment that involves a particular work—both natural and spiritual together. And in that unique field of labor, as you go, preach the gospel, heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, cleanse the leprous.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven… For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Matt. 5:16; Eph. 2:10)

J. Nicole – Abba’s daughter
www.identitymatterstoday.com

Moving Forward in Life

Nobody likes feeling stuck, whether it’s with a job situation, a rut in a relationship, a stale internal state, or some other personal impasse. We suffer discouragement, boredom, or disheartenment and wonder how we can unclog the clog. Making progress and experiencing growth is how we are wired as human beings – these make us feel energized and that our engagements in life are meaningful. But a halt in momentum can make us feel buried in the sand by the shore rather than being in the flow of a lively river. Fortunately, being stuck doesn’t mean permanent paralysis; it simply shows that it’s time for new dynamics and strategy for a fresh surge of life.

God has a plan for overcoming the impasses in life—one with wisdom that releases us from the past, moves us through our present, and brings us safely into our future. Here are some helpful tips that I’ve found and used in times when I’ve needed that extra push to get me going out of my prison and into my purpose.

1. Acknowledge your feelings – don’t stuff or ignore them. Feelings are handy—they let you know when something is wrong. Find out “what” they are saying then ask the Holy Spirit to show you “why”—what is the root of the “what”. Then you can address “how” to make changes with God’s wisdom.

2. Forgive – grudges, resentment, and unforgiveness are clogs in wheels. They keep us stuck in a dark moment of the past. Be intentional with Christ-like love that sees God who is able to work all things together for good.

3. Exercise – get your creative juices flowing through physical activity like walking, biking, swimming or even dancing. Physical movement is a good de-stressor that helps clear the mind and empower problem-solving ways of thinking.

4. Identify patterns that may signify this is another trip around a familiar mountain. Is there a stronghold (internal negative belief system) that needs to be broken? Are you self-sabotaging with wrong choices? Ask some wise friends for their input. We all have blind spots in our life.

5. Renew your mind with the Word of God. Create a faith-filled environment for the Holy Spirit to speak fresh counsel to you.

6. Expect the answer to come to you that you need and rest in God’s timing. He is the God of hope (expectation of good). He is faithful.

“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass” (1 Thess. 5:24).

J. Nicole – Abba’s daughter
www.identitymatterstoday.com