DAY FOUR: WHERE TO START?

Review:

• Knowing what your spiritual gift(s) is(are) will enable you to discover your
  assignment, understand your place in the body of Christ, and focus your energies
  in the days to come.
• Your personality is one of God’s good gifts to you, and He intends for you
  to use it for His purposes.
• The message of the Great Commission is that we are to make disciples as we
  go by baptizing and teaching all those with whom we come in contact.
• There are as many specialized ministry assignments as there are believers,
  and each of us has been carefully created by God to fill one of those
  assignments.

So, now what? Where to start? Right where you are!

When we began our study a few weeks ago, we took a look at the “calling”
stories of a few of the disciples. There are many such stories in the Bible, and
it seems that they all involve a person leaving what they know and following
Jesus. In a sense, this is something we all must do, to lay aside our old ways
and begin to seek Jesus above all, answering His call. However, this does not
always necessitate our physically leaving our surroundings, activities, and
relationships to find our niche in ministry. As a matter of fact, those
believers whom Jesus asked to do so were in the minority. Those that answered
Jesus’ call by the thousands, at the end of the day, returned to their homes
with a greater sense of purpose within their life.

Luke 8:26-39

When we fully understand the grace and mercy that is ours in Jesus, we may be
overcome with love for Him. That love may inspire zeal that can be easily
misdirected, causing us to make impulsive radical changes or rash decisions in
our lives in an effort to prove our loyalty to Christ or to demonstrate the
level of sacrifice we are willing to make. God doesn’t necessarily require we
make such changes, especially when they are the result of impulsive human logic
or human wisdom. Instead, God asks for obedience and intends for us to minister
right where He has placed us. Of course, if He asks you to make radical changes
in your direction or environment, you are to obey; but that is not always the
case, at least not at first.

For most of us, our assignment, at least for now, involves the location,
occupation, social circle, etc. that we were in when we began to sense God’s
call. Over time, God may redirect, changing your assignment as you mature
and your circumstances evolve. Maybe the specific future assignment that God has
laid upon your heart is something that requires preparation, education, or
experience that can only be obtained with the passing of time, in which case,
God will use your current assignment to prepare you for your future
assignment. But, whatever the case, do not overlook the possibility that the
only drastic changes God may require of you for the moment are a drastic change
of heart and an attitude of surrender regarding your future.

Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your
journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you.

What changes have you made in response to God’s call? Were those changes your
idea or God’s?

Have you been looking at God’s assignment for you as something that you will
fulfill only in the future? What is God’s assignment for you right now?

How could God be using your current circumstances to prepare you for the
future?

What is God teaching you?