Monday, March 28, 2022

            Have you ever felt a passion to do something?  Jesus did.  He knew exactly what He had to do.  As He was preparing to begin his three-year public work and ministry, he made the following statement, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).  Jesus was actually quoting the prophet Isaiah and applying that ancient prophecy to His life and work.  Jesus knew what He had to do.  He knew the Father’s purpose and mission for Him.  And Jesus did just that.
            Perhaps you have a sense that God has called you to something.  Maybe you believe God has a mission or work for you to do.  Take time to discern what you are thinking or sensing.  You might want to talk with some fellow believers who can help you to think through what is happening in your life.  You will certainly want to spend some time in prayer and personal reflection.  Occasionally, God’s calling becomes clearer over time as we work through it. 
            If you have clarity about what God wants you to do, then by all means, get to it.  Take up the mantle of responsibility and action and get engaged in what God has for you to do.  Don’t delay!  If God has given you both certainty and urgency, then there is no time like now to get started on what He has for you to do.  You can trust God to open doors and to make ways for you to do the work He has given you to do. 
            We can think of God’s anointing as God’s choice of us to serve Him.  There may be others who could do a certain job but God has anointed of chosen you.  His reasons for that are for Him to know.  He will equip and prepare you for that work to take place.  Jesus prepare His disciples and later equipped Paul for His missionary work.  The Lord is still in the business of choosing, anointing and equipping today.  There can be times when we convince ourselves that God would be much better served just picking somebody else to do the job that He has given us to do.  Moses felt that way.  He pleaded with God to choose another leader for the Exodus and even gave God a lengthy list of reasons why he was not the man for the job.  We can try to talk ourselves out of a job today.  But consider the joy we lose when we say no to God.  Consider the blessings we miss because of our disinterest or unwillingness to serve.
            If you feel like your life is a bit rudderless of aimless, the reason could be that you have rejected a mission God has given you.  Maybe you have delayed.  Maybe you have decided someone else should do this job.  Please recognize that some of God’s finest blessings are given to people who say yes to Him and serve Him with diligence and perseverance.  Colossians 4:4 tells us to make the most of every opportunity.  God in His grace allows us windows and seasons in life to serve Him.  Make the most of those moments.  During the NCAA basketball tournament, I heard a coach say that the “window to shoot the basketball” can close quickly.  We don’t want to miss our window to serve.  In our times, God has given us ways to serve and make a difference.  We are to stay focused to do just that.
            We are God’s people and chosen by Him to do His good work.  It is a joy to be given an assignment by our Lord.  May we diligently discern it and joyfully pursue it.  May we not be found on the sidelines when the Lord has chosen and anointed us for something much better.  Today is your day to point others to the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Remember you can always share our worship at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.  Have a great Monday!