Today, few would argue with the fact that everyone has been placed on the earth to make a contribution. To have our life measured by the ‘donation’ we make in this life, rather than the ‘duration’ - the length of time we live. It is clear, from my understanding of Scripture, that God has chosen a specific time and place for each person to exist. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2) You are no mistake (Psalm 139:13-16). In God’s kingdom, the redeemed children of God all have a place, a purpose and function, ‘…and each one of you… part of it’ (1Cor 12:27). This contribution is connected to God’s kingdom at work in society and all of creation - in your life, work and worship experiences.

Right now my Vocations 4Life course, which has just gone online this week, is seeing people released into their calling and mission in God. They are gaining a fresh sense of purpose to life as they go to their workplaces (paid and unpaid), knowing they have been called by God to express His compassionate and caring heart to those around them. They have discovered that ministry, is not tied to the program of an institution, it’s who they are 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Here’s what one brother had to say after completing a recent course: ”Vocations 4Life was very encouraging, reassuring and exciting in breaking down the personal Creational Grace Abilities and Vocations Grace Motivations that I God has given. However the standout area for me was the personal consultation that allowed a space for me to openly share and then to rediscover God's call for me through a new a clearer perspective. The course has helped me to see my employment as a ‘ministry call’ that God has designed and equipped me to do. It has also helped me to assist others in encouraging them to look for work and careers shaped around their God given gifts, abilities and motivations, rather than just looking at the possible pay packets and employment incentives.”

Did you know that you are on assignment? The original intention behind the creation mandate of Genesis 1:26-28, is to be image-bearers, to bear fruit, to steward and subdue the dominion allotted to man. Therefore, in Christ, you have been assigned stewardship responsibility in the earth realm. You have your ‘assignments in God’ (your particular garden) to operate in, to cultivate and bear fruit as part of your creation calling in Christ. Your assignment is unique to you and does not have to be connected to what we often call religious activity. In fact, your marriage, your family and your work all contain God-given assignments that you walk in. These assignments can be described as God’s specific purpose or intention for your life at any point in time. Some might call them ‘God’s will for your life’. However, it is more appropriate to say that the ‘will of God’ is based more upon God’s desire to have relationship with you, and your call to walk in holiness of life (Eph 4:1; 1Thess 4:1-3; 1 Peter 1:13-15), than on what you might do for God.

There are no rules about how many assignments you have or how long they last. They are part of your inheritance in God and are only limited by your vision and the choices you make as you walk with God. They change as often as the seasons in your life can change. Constant care and attention, in the midst of these assignments needs to be applied, to make sure that God’s purpose and influence are maintained through diligent stewardship.

Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is like a man who sowed good seed but someone came and sowed weeds into it. (Matt 13: 24-30) It also says that it was when everyone was asleep that he came and sowed the weeds. Be prepared to face the weeds that have been deliberately sown amongst your garden - throughout your assignments. These can occur through relational difficulties, greed, corruption, health issues, to name but a few. Anything that opposes and competes with the good seed that you sow can be classified as weeds. Take heart and don’t despair. Your assignments are your assignments and your good seed that you are sowing will bear kingdom fruit even through the weeds. The reality of embracing and realising the kingdom in this life can be difficult, as it requires you to live in the tension of knowing what could be and yet dealing with what is.

In your assignment (your garden), you are to plant the seed that God has given you, keeping your heart free from those things that may cause ungodly and unwise ‘weeds’ to grow. Then through embracing and collaborating with the Kingdom strategies like grace, mercy, love, service and forgiveness, engage the good and work to nurture that environment with godly wisdom and understanding. God always works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. The calling of God, and the assignments we are given by God in life are no exception. There is such a variety of experience that it’s impossible to conclude that there is a fundamental or singular way in which God makes them known.

In reality one must embrace the Kingdom of God in the richness of its diversity, wherever you are in God’s creation. This occurs more naturally as you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you each day even in the ‘mess’ of humanity that can befall us. Because this is where God’s kingdom is discovered. God’s amazing redemption story breaking into the mess: the rich and unfolding beauty of it as it touches people’s lives in and around us, often in spite of us. This is where God invites us to step in and become part of the unfolding drama of His kingdom, heaven breaking into the midst of life, even the mundane.

Make you life a donation – why not try Vocations4Life today!