Assignment
Monday— An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza.” Acts 8:26
Are you noticing a pattern in the Lord’s instructions? Many of them start with, “Get up…” Why does the Lord say that first? Isn’t that assumed? Not necessarily. Too many times we plead for God’s direction—from our recliners. Our comfort zones. “Lord,” we say. “Show me how I can serve you. Show me what you have for my life.” Then we reach for our Big Gulp and flip the channel. Philip was busy doing what he knew to do when the Lord said, “Time for a change. Get up and go to a specific place for reasons only I know.” So before Phillip could receive his divine assignment, he had to get up.
What does it look like for us to “get up?” Think about the phrase “rising to the occasion.” People who rise to the occasion see a need in front of them, so they get up, roll up their sleeves, and work to meet that need. When someone was stirred at the unbridled devastation of human trafficking, they “got up” and began to rescue victims and prosecute villains. Visitors to India were brokenhearted at the plight of street orphans, so they got up and created rescue operations. Before we can learn God’s assignment, we have to “get up” spiritually, mentally, and physically. Growling at the evils on the news is not the same as “getting up.” Phillip had no idea why he was told to get up, but when he did, he later discovered that was his assignment.
Challenge: If the Lord told you to “get up,” what would that look like in your daily life?
Prayer: Lord, I’m ready for an assignment from you that has eternal significance. What do I need to do to get up and get ready? I want to be in position to live out the assignment you have for me. Help me prepare. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Tuesday— So (Philip) started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). Acts 8:27-28
-- “I’d invite my new neighbors to church, but they’re from a different country. I don’t even think they speak English.”
-- “I saw this guy at Starbucks reading a New Testament. I would have started a conversation, but he was wearing a turban.”
-- “Some immigrants moved in down the street, but I don’t want to befriend them. They might be illegals.”
-- “I don’t know enough about other religions to have conversations with Muslims and Hindus. I try to avoid them.”
When Philip jogged up to that foreign chariot, he might have had some of the same misgivings we have when we’re suddenly in the company of people different from us. This guy was a different race, different social order, and different religion. It would have been so easy to jog right on past, eagerly anticipating God’s next assignment. But the Holy Spirit gave a nudge: “That’s it. That’s your assignment,” He whispered. Often our assignments don’t look like we thought they’d look. And we miss it when we assume God has the same preferences we have. Philip had no idea how this guy would respond, but part of the “get up” command was to also be ready for whatever God did next. Because he obeyed, the gospel spread from Israel into Africa.
Challenge: Do you have preferences that might limit your ability to receive an assignment from the Lord? Hand them to Him.
Prayer: Father, search my heart. Am I limiting you in the ways you want to use me to further your kingdom? Do I let race, religion, national status, or comfort prevent me from openly sharing your love? Help me change that. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Wednesday— Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. Acts 8:35
Greg Koukl, author of the book Tactics, stresses the importance of meeting people right where they are. He then goes on to “put a rock in their shoe” by asking them a question they can’t easily answer. To a Gothic girl with a crucifix around her neck, he might ask, “I see you’re wearing a cross. Did you know that the story behind that jewelry could change your entire life? What do you think that means? Have a great day.” He leaves her with a smile and a big tip. Philip found out where this Ethiopian was and started there. He didn’t begin with the Four Spiritual Laws. He began on the page the man was reading.
Sometimes, in our well-intentioned efforts to evangelize the lost, we try to answer questions no one is asking. Philip found it more effective to come alongside this man and ask where he was struggling. It turns out that the guy already had most of the pieces; he just needed someone to help him put the puzzle together. Many people are there. They’ve heard bits and pieces, but don’t understand why it’s relevant to them. Learning to put a rock in someone’s shoe is an effective way to get people thinking in the right direction. When we learn to ask questions first, we find out where people are. Sometimes our assignment is waiting on our table or selling us a smartphone. Like Philip, we can find out where they are and redirect their search.
Challenge: What assignment might be right in front of you? Consider learning to put a rock in someone’s shoe.
Prayer: Lord, am I overlooking assignments that might be right in front of me? Help me learn effective tactics to guide people toward questions they want answered. May I not overlook any assignments you’ve placed before me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Thursday— Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25
“I’m praying about what God wants me to do next,” said Ralph. “After coming home from the mission field, I’ve felt sorta aimless. I’ve drifted too. Not living like I should.” Jim nodded. “Yeah, I noticed. I’ve been concerned about you, friend. I’ve been through dry spells too, but I think God allows those dry places to make us walk by faith. When we’re on a spiritual high, it’s easy to keep in step with the Spirit. But in the desert, that’s where our faith is really tested. Will we keep following anyway, or will we walk away?” Ralph sighed. “I guess if I’m serious about doing what God wants, I have to start now with the little things.”
Most Christians claim to want God’s leading, but they’re not living in step with the Spirit in their daily lives. However, we get to the big assignments by being faithful in the little things (Luke 16:10). Ralph wanted God’s next big assignment, but he was flunking the series of little ones in front of him. Was he living with integrity? Morality? Purity? Seeking ways to serve? God puts a high value on faithfulness. That’s where we’re tested to see if we can be trusted with a bigger assignment. When we learn to follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives, we’re already on assignment. We’re also positioning ourselves to be ready when a supernatural opportunity presents. Philip was ready to be assigned and God used him mightily. Are you ready?
Challenge: We stay ready for assignment when we live in step with the Holy Spirit in every area, day by day.
Prayer: Lord, I’ve been like Ralph. I claim to want your assignment, but am I staying ready? Am I staying in step with you in the things I know to do? Help me prove myself worthy of your bigger assignments by being faithful in little things. Amen.
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Friday— My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27
-“I think God is telling me to marry my boyfriend. He’s not a Christian, but he’s so sweet. How do I know for sure if it’s God?”
-“I’ve prayed about divorcing my wife. We’re just not happy and God wants me to be happy, doesn’t he? Is this God’s will?”
-“Isn’t it amazing how God gave me Tom? We’re so right for each other, even though he’s married. But it has to be God.”
-“I don’t feel guilty fudging on my expense reports. I’ve prayed about it and I think God is fine with it.”
Is hearing God’s voice a shot in the dark? Is there a way to know whether something we want is from God or not? Jesus said there is. Ranger, a highly trained German Shepherd, would race into a burning building if his trainer told him to. But he wouldn’t even sit on command for anyone else. He had been trained to answer only to his master’s voice. That’s what Jesus meant. When we walk closely with Him, absorbing His words, meditating on His character, we know His voice. He never tells us to do something contrary to the written word of God. For example, He tells Christians to ONLY marry other Christians (1 Cr. 7:39) and not to divorce for selfish reasons (1 Cor. 7:10-11). He NEVER gives us someone else’s spouse (Matt. 5:32) and dishonesty has no place in the life of a Jesus follower (Prov. 11:1). His sheep listen to Him—not only when He says what they want Him to say. Our biggest assignment is to align ourselves with His word so we’re ready to make a difference for His kingdom.
Challenge: God’s voice will NEVER instruct you to violate His written word.
Prayer: Lord, help me to learn your voice, practice obeying it, and when sticky situations arise, I will know what you’d have me do. I want to be your sheep and listen to your voice so I’m in position for your next assignment. In Jesus’ name, amen.
