It’s Not All Yours To Do! (don’t miss your assignment)

A truth to imprint on our hearts: God has something He wants each of us to do, but He hasn’t assigned everything to any one of us.

God has something He wants each of us to do, but He hasn't assigned everything to any one of us. Share on X

My list keeps getting longer. The weight on my shoulders keeps getting heavier. I often struggle under the load I place on myself. 

It is all good stuff. Important stuff. Meaningful stuff. Godly stuff.  

Online friends ask for prayer warriors. A few others request reviewers for their books.

I have a backlog of people on a “should visit” list. There are more on the “should write to” list.

My boys have Mom-requests, and Rach has ongoing Mom-needs.

Several writing projects nag at my conscience. Online Bible studies beg to be joined. 

And of course there are daily household tasks and appointments to manage. 

You all have your own endless lists. 

My Assignment or Someone Else’s

When I first saw this week’s #livefreeThursday linkup topic from my friend Suzie, “You don’t mean me, do you?,” I nodded in agreement.

How often have I looked around for someone else, believing God couldn’t have meant me when making such a grand (or scary) assignment? 

But then a new thought began to surface: How often do I take on every assignment I come across thinking they’re all for me? 

I reason it out like this: Surely if it’s a good and godly task that comes into my view, it’s one I should act on. 

So I say yes to the book reviews and launches. I say yes to the wonderful groups and task forces.

I say yes so I don’t have to feel like I’m missing out. I say yes because it’s a good thing to do. 

But as Ann Voskamp’s husband wisely counseled her, “Every yes automatically says no somewhere else.”

It’s easy to get caught in the cycle of saying yes without first evaluating and praying about an opportunity.

It's easy to get caught in the cycle of saying yes without first evaluating and praying about an opportunity. Share on X

In her bestselling book, The Best Yes, Lysa Terkeurst, warns us about the consequences of jumping on every request that comes to us: “Don’t miss your assignment because you’re caught in the rush of endless demands.”

Are You Missing God’s Assignment?

Are you missing God’s assignment because you’re caught on the endless-demands merry-go-round? 

I’m not going to tell you I have the secret for getting off. But I do want to give you something to think about.

Sometimes God does mean you. Sometimes the Lord of the Universe chooses you for a certain task.

Don’t be surprised by that. In Christ, you are more than equipped for any assignment God asks you to take on.

Equally, don’t think every request or need that pops up on your Facebook feed or enters your inbox is one you should say yes to. 

Pray about those opportunities you’re presented with. 

Then ask yourself, Do I feel the nudge to say yes? or Do I feel a sense of holy hesitancy? 

When we take on those things we shouldn’t, it binds our hearts and hands from investing in those we should.

When we take on those things we shouldn't, it binds our hearts and hands from investing in those we should. Share on X

When a friend asks me to review her Christian growth book or another invites me to an online gathering of sisters in Christ, everything in me screams, Yes!, even though the best answer may be No. 

We are all called to do good and godly things, but every good and godly thing is not for me to do. Every good and godly thing is not for you to do.  

We are all called to do good and godly things, but not every good and godly thing is for you to do. Share on X

God has a plan and it includes specific assignments for each of us. That doesn’t mean everything that enters your inbox or gets posted to your Facebook feed is yours to take on. 

Not every assignment that enters your inbox or gets posted to your FB feed is yours to take on. Share on X

Be wise, be in the Word. and be in prayer. Then you’ll be less likely to ask, “You don’t mean me, do you?” and more likely to verify, “You mean me, Lord, don’t you?”

“Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Reflections: Which do you struggle with more: taking on assignments that are not yours or passing on assignments that are? 

 I am always thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “You don’t mean me, do you?” Click on the image to check out the wonderful encouragement.