While many were still covered with sunscreen and sand from beach trips, school supplies appeared on store shelves. It seemed way too early to think about school, but with the calendar page flipping to August, the start of school is a reality and we are in full swing with school shopping.
My grands are waiting to hear about their class assignments. Each day they hope for an email telling them names of their teachers, their schedule, and lunch period. Those are the first “assignments” that will move into homework and projects.
As adults, we don’t share those assignments, unless it’s help with homework, but we have personal assignments.
LORD, “You have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.” Psalm 16: 5 (NIV)
In a recent interview, Ann Graham Lotz discussed her cancer journey as her current assignment.
Joni Eareckson shares the inner growth experienced from fifty-two years assigned to life in a wheelchair.
Ours may or may not be as dramatic, but could be a difficult place of employment, a ministry of encouragement when we ourselves are depleted, a major trial we are going through, or an opportunity to move out of our comfort zone.
How do we look at assignments? Sometimes we see them as chores or obligations covered with anxiety, fatigue, and disappointment. We have a deadline to meet, a task requiring more energy than we think we have, or interacting on a regular basis with a person who “gets on our last nerve”.
Another definition is, “a specified task or amount of work assigned or undertaken as if assigned by authority”.
Assigned. Assignment. Authority. LORD, You = God-given.
Perhaps you wake up each morning thinking about your assignment and question if you can handle one more day of an obligation, trial, health issue, challenging seasonal chapter, or a difficult relationship. In those hard places of assignments, God promises to meet what we need to fulfill them.
What do you need today? Grace, wisdom, insight, strength (click these) to persevere? His resources never end and if He calls us to an assignment, He gives us the “supplies” we need. So, unlike my grands, we don’t have to wonder because:
We know our Teacher, our assigned schedule, and the even our lunch period if we feed our soul with His Word.
Join the conversation to encourage us. How have you met assignments with God-given resources? Is there a scripture you lean on-perhaps for a current assignment?
While I have many “Life Verses”; those I have written in my heart, my primary verse (the one I lean on the most) is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJV) I find that when my assignment seems too difficult, or the “heat” threatens to overtake me, I remind myself that my strength comes from God. In my weakness, my reliance upon His provision and strength will carry me through the task. Thank you for this wonderful reminder of one of my favorite promises of God.
I agree JD. That particular verse with the key phrase “through Christ” encourages me to know I have His infinite resources for what He has assigned me Thanks for joining the conversation with your encouragement and example. Marilyn
I’d never considered the word “assignment” like this, Marilyn. Thanks for sharing this perspective. Continuing to pray for Anne Graham Lotz. Blessings!!!
Thanks Cathy. I first looked at assignments that way when I read Elisabeth Elliot’s response to hearing about her husband’s death–that that was her ‘assignment” Thought provoking. Blessings, Marilyn
Assignments in school or work are tasks. Assignments to pray become necessary for me to begin my day. Thankful for encouragement to continue to do my assignments.
Thanks Adrianne for joining in with a comment. Yes, our assignments vary and are life-long and prayer is always one of them. Marilyn
Marilyn, I love the way you led us to consider assignments. Some are difficult; some are joyous. Either way considering Jesus as our Teacher like you suggested shows us the proper perspective. When assignments are difficult, I sometimes remember asking God to use me in His kingdom work. That thought makes me grateful for opportunities.
Thanks Jeannie for your response. It’s sometimes hard to be thankful in unwelcomed assignments, but knowing they are sovereignly designed opportunities for a purpose gives us courage and strength to response with our best. Marilyn
I have been praying this past year for God‘s path for me. I have always used Psalms 16:11 as my go-to verse. “Thou will show me the path of life, in thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand are pleasures forever more.” Since Granville went to Heaven, I’ve had a strong feeling that my path or “assignment” is to keep on serving in whatever capacity the Lord world have me. I’m finding peace and contentment in searching and finding His places for me. Thanks for the reminder of “the next assignment.”
Thank you Valerie, for reading and commenting. Our path is unfamiliar and I know we both never dreamed we’d be on it at this stage in our lives. Yes it is our assignment.”I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Is 42:16 NIV I appreciate your assignment of serving. One of the ways we serve is by displaying God’s grace to us in this journey. You surely have done that. Blessings as you pursue His plan, Marilyn
Lovely thoughts, Marilyn!