Anointed to Appointed

     A question that often surfaces among teens and young adults as Christ-followers is, "What am I supposed to do for God?" The demand for a date, time, place, and exact job description is given or their self-worth begins to diminish if they're left in limbo. This is a legitimate question but one that could hinder us from being effective where we currently are in our walk with Christ. A smart tactic of the enemy is to keep our minds preoccupied with this concern until we are stressed about who we are NOT instead of who we ARE in Christ.

     In studying for the recent series, "Tag, You're It!" I have a better (simpler) understanding of helping all of us to answer the popular question often derived from the younger generation but latches to us all. Many have big dreams, visions, and desires to be used by God but feel those are unreachable because of their size and their stature. But, remember God is the one who gives them to you in the first place. Jesus has already given us His desire to save all that is lost. We are anointed to continue His work because He is in us. The first battle with the enemy of whether or not we have what it takes to accomplish the mission of Christ is won with the anointing placed upon our lives because of Jesus. 

We are all (Christ-followers) ANOINTED to be witnesses, but APPOINTED to a place, time, and method in how to be those witnesses. 

     While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." - (Acts 13:2 NIV)

     How do we know what we're supposed to do for God? We follow the example given in this verse of scripture. The word called (appointed) means "bid to come." The Spirit is bidding us come to Him so He can set us up for His work. Though we are all anointed for the same purpose, which is sharing the Gospel, we are appointed differently. The revealing of that appointment is in worship, fasting, and the Holy Spirit.

     One key factor I believe precedes this verse and is essential for us in our relationship with God leading us to that appointment is prayer. A daily walk with Christ should produce consistent communication. Prayer allows God to prepare us for the appointment He has destined.
      The first key in knowing what God will appoint us to do is worship. Worship should be our surrender to the Person of God. Worship should be a reaction to spending time with God already in prayer. Worship should be a display of our faith in God. Worship should not be one moment in a week just to have an experience of His presence. Christ is in us and should be active through us by the relationship we have with Him. When we worship, the emptying of ourselves becomes a vessel for Him to fill. Our focus is completely on Him and not our idea of what we should do - when and where. Worship must be a daily part of our lives for us to be ready for our appointment!

     The second key is found in fasting. Though this practice is quickly ruled as out-of-date, it could be the very reason most Christ-followers today continue to lack in discovering their appointment. Fasting goes against the very nature of who we are as humans. That's exactly what it's designed to do. The Hebrew meaning for fasting is literally, “not to eat.” Fasting is another sign of surrender. It is a physical sacrifice for a spiritual answer. It signifies dependence upon God because the flesh is dependent upon food. It is another sign of obedience and trust for God’s direction and not ours. It is denying not only my own body but also my own wants. Fasting was set up in the Old Testament and is always a part of prayer. Biblical fasting is not eating with spiritual communication in mind. Jesus fasted. Enough said.

     The final key for our appointment is found in the Holy Spirit. We learned that Jesus was anointed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to operate in His appointment. He was baptized with the Holy Spirit before He began His 40 day fast in the wilderness. The Holy Spirit is not only essential for us to operate in His gifts while being witnesses, but to know how, when, and where we will be appointed. He is direct access to our appointment in God's will.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with the groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” - (Romans 8:26-27 NIV)

     Why would we deny this? We ask this opening question. We search for the answer in other sources and people. But, the Holy Spirit already knows. He tries to lead us daily and we don't allow Him. He ANOINTS us, PRAYS for us and SENDS us. Christ is anxious to answer us and appoint us. He's waiting on us to be prepared. That preparation is through our communication (prayer), worship, fasting, and then the Holy Spirit sends us to the work which He has appointed. Tag, you're it!