Tested

I am incredibly thankful that I serve on a team where we are acknowledged, encouraged, and celebrated as Assistants. Our Senior Pastor and the leadership team lead by example – intentionally valuing the unique gifting we bring to our assignments.

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,
then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating,
and various kinds of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:28 (ESV)

However, human nature can sneak its way into the minds of anyone and warp how the title of Assistant is viewed. Sadly, it is not uncommon for others in similar roles to hear “less-than” language associated with our responsibilities. So how do we respond when we are tested?

Now you are the Body of Christ and individually members of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27

THE BODY WOULD SUFFER WITHOUT US – With humility, we need to embrace the fact that God himself has appointed us to this position for his purposes and in his timing. When the God of the universe places us, we can be confident that it is for the common good of the body of believers. Our assignment has holy purpose.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;
and there are varieites of activites, but it is the same God who empowers them all
in everyone.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6

WE ARE UNIQUELY GIFTED TO SEE PROBLEMS AND NAVIGATE THEM – In verse 28, the gift of administration references a helmsman for a ship; responsible to bring a ship safely into harbor. A helmsman must be an expert steersman in the midst of the storm above and the dangerous rocks below the surface of the water.  This gift moves the church forward and blesses the body.

But as it is, God arranged the members of the body, each one of them, as he chose.
1 Corinthians 12:18

WE ARE UNIQUELY WIRED AND THAT SHAPES HOW WE STEP INTO THIS ROLE – God himself has personally and intentionally placed us – by his choosing – in this role for his purposes. He plans to direct and use the influence he gave us for his glory and for the good of those he has entrusted to us. The question is not IF we are influencing, but HOW we are influencing.

In him we have obtained an inheritance,
having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things
according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:11-12 (NIV)

WE ARE FREE TO WISELY SERVE WITH BOTH HEART AND SOUL – Knowing that we have an inheritance and purpose from God – a vision for our lives – we can receive his supernatural guidance and plan for the future with holy imagination and wisdom. We are God-placed stewards of his resources for the accomplishment of his ministry and, ultimately, for his glory. We can confidently serve with our giftings.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge
– that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)

The next time you are the recipient of less-than language, or you witness it being spoken to another – regardless of the role – I hope that you remember just how loved you truly are! Our wise Father has intentionally gifted you and placed you for his glory in the role you hold. It is not an accident. It is not a less-than assignment. With every task and heart that he entrusts to you, remember that you are not only tested and approved…..

You are adored.