Strengthening:
Call to Rise:
It’s Spring time in America. The older I get, the faster the seasons seem to come and go. The transition of natural seasons makes me think of spiritual seasons. They are similar to natural seasons, lasting for a relatively long period of time (months or years) but just like natural seasons, they eventually transition into something altogether different.
The current spiritual season in America is significant. November of 2020 was the 400th anniversary of the signing of the Mayflower Compact – the first non-native form of self-government in the territory that is now the United States and a document which was a predecessor to the Declaration of Independence. Many of the signers of the Compact were Puritans fleeing religious persecution in England, including my 13th great-grandfather, Thomas Rogers.
Why is this significant? Because 400 years is a significant time period in the Bible. It often signifies the fullness of time for a promise or for judgement. God brought Abraham’s offspring into the promised land 400 years after promising to give him a son. Simultaneously, the iniquity of the Amorites reached its fullness in those 400 years and they were judged when the Israelites dispossessed them. The Judges of Israel ruled for roughly 400 years. The Divided Kingdom of Israel lasted 400 years. The ministry of the prophets was approximately 400 years and there is a period of silence in scripture between Malachi and the birth of Jesus that lasts – you guessed it – 400 years. The number 400 is described as a number of completion or of transition.
Those who are abiding in God understand, even without this numerical explanation, that America is in a spiritual season of transition.
In this week’s scripture reading, we read about Nehemiah beginning to undertake “what my God had put into my heart to do” and it begs the question: What is your God assignment for this special season?
As Christians, our primary purpose in life is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and then to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. (Mark 12:30-31). Under the umbrella of that calling are spiritual assignments that God has given to each of us, which cumulatively build the Kingdom of God on earth. (1 Corinthians 3:5, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 4:10, Hebrews 12:1; Galatians 6:9-10)
God Assignments
In some cases, those assignments span several seasons and sometimes they are for just one. In some cases, those assignments are perceived by us to be especially noteworthy. For example, Moses’ assignment to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian captivity; Esther’s assignment to thwart an evil plan against the Jews; Paul’s assignment to bring the gospel to the Gentiles; Jesus’ assignment to redeem humanity. Without question, those assignments were weighty, world-changing feats that still impact our lives thousands of years later. However, it’s important that we don’t lose sight of the fact that those ‘big’ assignments would not have been possible without a symphony of other believers – known and unknown- faithfully completing ‘small’ assignments.
What would have happened to the Jewish people if Moses’ mother had not hidden him by faith (Hebrews 11:23)? How might Esther’s brave stand for the Lord taken a deadly turn if the other Jews had not supported her with prayer and fasting (Esther 4:15-17)? What would have become of Saul of Tarsus if Ananias had not been obedient to pray for the future Apostle’s healing (Acts 9:1-18)? How might Jesus’ assignment have been impacted if Joseph had obeyed the norms of his culture in fear instead of the dreams of God by faith (Matthew 1:24, 2:14)?
How many small assignments were completed by others who played a supporting role in the epic works of God that we know nothing about? God knows. He knows their obedience. He knows your obedience, which can’t be qualified as big or small. He is the ultimate strategist, working out all things for our good (Romans 8:28) and weaving together even things that darkness meant for evil (Genesis 50:20) to ultimately establish his Kingdom in the hearts of humans.
Simple Good Works Have Significant Impact
Take a moment to think of a pivotal moment in your life when someone did something simple that made a lasting impact on you. Here’s one I think of often: As a teenager I walked through a season where my family did not share my passion for Jesus, and I had come to the conclusion that I would have to choose between my family and my faith. Whether it was real or perceived, I felt misunderstood and isolated at home. One night, as a senior in high school, I attended a revival service with some college-age students from a nearby town. At the end of the service, I went down to the front of the sanctuary to receive prayer. To this day I don’t recall why I wanted prayer, but here’s what I do remember: The hug I received. When I arrived at the altar, the woman I met simply hugged me and said nothing, for a very long time. She did eventually pray for me, but I don’t remember a word she prayed, nor can I recall anything about her appearance. However, the timely, nurturing hug she gave me settled something in my soul and still brings me to tears 22 years later.
She didn’t raise the dead, heal cancer, preach in the service we attended or even pray the world’s most perfect prayer – but she did change my life with a silent, spirit-led hug. What’s more, she has no idea the lasting impact of her simple act of godly kindness.
Never, ever underestimate the powerful purpose God has in mind for your obedient completion of the so-called ‘small’ assignments He sends your way.
In this season, God may not be calling you to deliver a nation, thwart a conspiracy or lead a ministry. But know this – whatever assignment He has for you during this season, it is absolutely critical. Whether you are Paul or Ananias or one of the unnamed faithful fasting and praying for the nation-sized work of God, your good works are essential to the Kingdom. You are a co-laborer in the work and a shareholder in the ultimate result. Even if you only lay one brick, you share equally in the joy, peace and blessings awaiting the brothers and sisters working together in this season to rebuild the walls of righteousness in our land.
How do I find out what God has assigned to me?
So, how do you discover your assignment? Friend, we could discuss that question for hours! I can’t provide an exhaustive checklist for exactly every step of God’s plan for your life. Instead, I’m hoping to give you some practical starting points for discovering what good works God has called you to complete in this season.
Ask
If you want to know God’s plans for you, the best place to start is by simply asking Him. One of my favorite prayers to pray over others is that God would speak direction to them in a way that is so personal, they can be certain it’s Him speaking.
Another of my favorite prayers is this: God, please give me something to do today that can only be explained by Your grace. Posturing your heart to do whatever He sends your way – and to give Him glory for it – is an excellent way to be open to the good works He has pre-planned for you.
Listen
When you ask God for His input, expect that He will answer (Hebrews 11:6). God speaks to His children in different ways, but all of His children are capable of hearing from Him (John 10:27). He speaks to me mostly through impressions, a still small voice, in visions and through scripture. He speaks to some through dreams, some are led by supernatural peace and still others through an audible voice. How does God speak to you? I’ve learned to hear His voice more clearly through practice over time, and that involved a process of trial and error. As you learn to hear His voice, you won’t always get it right, but you will learn from the missteps. Don’t let fear stop you from practicing hearing His voice – His grace is sufficient for you!
Go
When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples before His death, and when He pronounced the Great Commission to them after His resurrection, He first gave them Heaven’s authority and then he gave this instruction: Go (Matthew 10:1-8, Matthew 28:16-20).
You’ve asked God for His assignment. You’re humbly listening for His answer. Now, take a step of faith and just go. Scripture says that God is already “at work in you to will and act according to His good purpose” (1 Corinthians 3:9). You already have God’s blessing to use the natural abilities and spiritual gifts He’s given you to serve others with the grace of Christ (1 Peter 4:10). Yes, our motives and methods must be submitted to scripture, and in some cases screened through godly counsel, but you, dear one, temple of the Holy Spirit who raised Christ from the dead, have already been given authority and power to do the works of God.
Go! Do the good work that your God has put into your heart to do.
Prayer:
God, I love you, and I’m grateful for the privilege to be part of demonstrating your love and power to the world around me. Thank you that America is in a season of promise and transition. Please show me what Kingdom work you’d like me to do during this season. Please give me something to do that can only be explained by Your grace, and give me the grace I need to obey. Help me learn to hear Your voice more clearly, and give me courage and wisdom to do and be what you’ve put into my heart.
Build Assignments:
- Discover one way that you can become involved in local elections, and commit to doing it.
- Ask God to give you something to do this week that can only be explained by His grace.