Know Your Assignment: Be the one who Influences Instead of the one being Influenced 

Glory Givers

SUP With Me: Words of Inspiration

Know Your Assignment: Be the one who Influences Instead of the one being Influenced 

As I was thinking of the word assignment and wanting to gain greater understanding, I came across the definition provided by Cambridge Dictionary. It defined the word assignment as a task or a piece of work that is given to someone to do, often for a limited period of time.  

As I was reading in the book of Mark 2:13-17, Jesus called Levi the tax collector to follow Him. Levi submits himself in obedience, leaves his work, and goes to follow Jesus. Upon this time Jesus has dinner at Levi’s house and dining with them were other tax collectors, sinners and his disciples. The Pharisees which were teachers of the law heard of this and did not like it. Jesus knowing this said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  

The Pharisees questioned Jesus’ actions of breaking bread with the tax collectors and sinners. However, this did not cause Him to question Himself or second guess if His actions were pure or not. This was simply because Jesus knew His assignment and role. Jesus was indeed the influencer and not the one being influenced by man or their opinions. He was commissioned by God to do His will in the earth. 

Now this definitely speaks volume to our role in society. This is clear evidence that we are to be about the father’s business and not be distracted or give room for the opinions of others to influence our actions and decisions regarding the task that has been assigned to us by God.  

Another glimpse of Jesus’ sobriety and vigilance in His assignment is found in Luke 2:41-52. To sum this story up, Jesus was with his mother Mary and earthly father Joseph. They were with friends and family heading to the yearly Festival of the Passover. At the appointed time Jesus was 12 years old and the time had come for them to travel back home. Jesus stayed in the temple courts sitting amongst the teachers, listening and asking them questions. After three days of traveling his parents realized he was not in the group, so they turn back heading to Jerusalem. When they found him his mother Mary tells him that they had been searching for him. Jesus replied “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 

Today I believe that we can all agree that there is much in the world to immerse ourselves in. There are many influencers and many being influenced. However, as followers of Christ we should be the influencers and not allow the world to influence us on what we are willing to do for the Lord and in what way. I want us to be reminded that our ability to fulfill our assignment is directly connected to us maintaining our sobriety and vigilance, being bold and courageous. We must seek the Lord and listen for His direction and guidance that we may live as influencers, impacting the lives of many and accomplishing our collective and individual assignments that God has given us.  

~Let’s be about the Father’s business~  

We all have an assignment as followers of Christ and time is drawing near!  

Matthew 9:37-38 “The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  

One question: Are you willing to work?