1 Corinthians 1:17 My mandate was not about winning members for some ‘Christian club’ through baptism! I am commissioned to declare the good news without any strings attached; nothing to distract from the powerful effect of the revelation of the cross of Christ. (TMB)

Whose call are you answering?

In the military, the last line of the position description says, “And whatever other duties as assigned.” It is a failsafe. That keeps you from complaining when your superior asks you to do something you thought you did not or should not have to do. This can be a good and a bad thing. The reason your superior assigned you the task will vary depending on who you are and who your superior is.

• You may have shown yourself as an asset your command would not want to do without.
• Though you feel overwhelmed because you don’t have the same confidence in you that your superior has, you still try.
• Your superior may see a way to shift responsibility to you and take a break.
• Your superior may be completely unfamiliar with who you are and what you can do. However, a job needs to be done and you are available.

Believe it or not, this same thing can also happen in Christendom. Each person has a call on his/her life. Each believer has a task. It is important to know what your calling is and what it entails.

2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]. (AMP)

You may have several talents in addition to the gifts God has given you. If you add those talents to your spiritual gifting, your ministry leader may ask you to serve in some capacity in the ministry.

Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him and brings him before great men. (AMP)

It most probably will be work that needs to be done to support the vision of the ministry. Very often, your ministry leader will lead you to read this scripture as validation for the request.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. (NKJV)

What do you do if the ministry leader asks you to function outside of what you believe God called you to do? First, you have to know what God called you to do. Have you spent enough time in prayer, in study, in worship, even doing whatever your hands could find to do? This is an important test to pass. If you believe the Lord placed you in the ministry, then you also believe God knows the ministry leader was going to make this request? Before you say “yes” or “no”, go to the Lord in prayer. You want your answer to strengthen you and strengthen the leader. You also want to do what honors God. You don’t want to say yes simply because your leader asked you to do it. If you do, one of these could happen:

• You could very well show yourself as an asset your ministry leader would not want to do without, giving you a promotion and possibly even fame.
• You could find that you like what you are doing even if you don’t think this is what God called you to.
• The task could overwhelm you because you don’t have the same confidence in you that your leader has.
• You could do just enough to get by and make sure your leader does not ask again you.
• You could completely fail because your heart is not in it, and you believe someone else should do it.

Always keep in mind the work that you do represents the God your serve.

Colossians 3:23-24 So no matter what your task is, work hard. Always do your best as the Lord’s servant, not as man’s, 24 because you know your reward is the Lord’s inheritance. You serve the Lord, the Anointed One (TVT)

Jesus’ victory on the cross paid for the anointing on your life. It also gave you the power to fulfill the call of God on your life. As you continue to spend time with the Lord, you will see the liberty, Jesus died for, and walk in it as well. Just be careful the “work your hands have found, or that someone has found for you” does not stop you from doing your “God assigned work”.

Psalm 32:8-9 I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!” (TPT)

The Lord will show you if the work is a pathway, a detour, or a roadblock.

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father, I have lived my life with a desire to serve You. I have always wanted to be a blessing and tried to do whatever my hands could find to do. I’m grateful for every experience. As I spent more and more time with You, I realized sometimes I was being pulled away from the thing You purposed for me to do. As I reflect, I also have to repent. There were times I chose a task myself or I allowed someone else to choose for me. I may have told myself I couldn’t say no. Really, I didn’t want to say no. I wanted to be a blessing. I wanted to please. I wanted approval and validation. The problem is, I focused on all the things I wanted. I wasn’t making sure I was doing what You wanted. I also repent for convincing myself You were pleased just because I was working in a ministry. This was not a trick of the enemy alone. I played my part as well. The devil barely had time to fool me. I was too busy fooling myself. I am grateful You still chose to get glory out of my life. I would say I am amazed, yet why would I be? You are God; there is no lack or waste in You. I’m sorry I made people my focus and not You. I repent for thinking I could please You without talking to You myself. l still want to be a blessing to the body of Christ and to the world. Now I will wait for You to show me where I should go; what I should do; and how You will use me. I have such peace…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:   

1. We must be dedicated:

    We are called to be good soldiers for Jesus Christ. Those around us should have no question          about our loyalty or commitment as a soldier in God’s army.

2. We must be Durable:

    A good soldier does not think about quitting.

    Joshua 1:9, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, don’t be frightened and 

    do not be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.

3. Be Deliberate: A good soldier is not distracted by all of the things that are going on in his/her life.

    1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh              about seeking whom he may devour.

4. Be Delightful: God is pleased when we follow orders, we are in this fight to win and to be 

    steadfast at all times.