Embracing God’s Assignment

Everyone has a mission. God has given each of us an assignment. Some of us run from it. Some of us question it. Some of us embrace it.

Paul embraced it.

He experienced hardship and suffering — beatings, imprisonment, shipwreck, betrayal (2 Corinthians 11:23–28). Yet he never lost sight of his assignment, the mission and purpose for which he was created. Near the end of his life, Paul could boldly say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

He finished.

Our beloved Debbie — my Aunt Debbie — embraced her assignment too. The suffering and all that came with it. She was a soldier. Though she battled cancer on the inside, she never let cancer battle her spirit. She was stoic. A fierce fighter. A warrior.

When she received the assignment to carry the weight of that illness, she stood firm. She was determined to courageously beat cancer. And in so many ways, she did. Her strength was an encouragement to everyone who witnessed it. She accepted her God-given assignment with grace.

God knew she would handle the job well.

I never saw or heard her complain. Meanwhile, I would complain about the back of my heel hurting. She probably thought to herself, “She’s such a wimp.” And she would’ve been right.

But Aunt Debbie embraced her mission. She fought hard until her last day on this side of eternity. She accomplished the goal. She completed the work God called her to do. She shared Jesus’ love, light, courage, and wisdom everywhere she went. Many times she didn’t have to say a word. Her presence preached loud enough.

Like Paul.

Like Aunt Debbie.

We must do the same.

Accept the assignment so we can finish our race strong. Complete the work God has given us. We cannot allow insecurities, questions, complaining spirits, or fear to stop us from walking into our purpose.

It’s okay to ask God for assurance. It’s okay to ask for confirmation, direction, wisdom. But don’t allow anyone — or anything — to hinder you from walking in your calling.

Our purpose is connected to our past, yet our past does not define us. The things we experienced as children, our heartaches, our struggles, even our poor decisions — they are not wasted. They are often the very tools God uses to propel us into purpose.

Listen to what God said through Jeremiah:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

— Jeremiah 29:11

One Bible scholar described God as an Inventor. I had never thought of my God in that way — but He is. The commentary suggested the translation could read, “I know the new ideas I have for you.” God is an eternal Inventor, always creating new ways to reveal His endless love.

Though life may have been life’n…

Though we may have lost things precious and dear — a job, a relationship, even a loved one —

God knows.

God knows our broken hearts.

God knows the hole we feel when someone we love is torn from us.

God knows.

He knows what it feels like to lose a Son.

Jesus is acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). He is familiar with suffering, torture, abandonment, loneliness — even death.

So when God says, “I know,” He truly knows.

He knows about your losses.

He knows how you feel.

This is why we can find comfort in Him — not fleeting comfort, but constant, encompassing, steady love from our Heavenly Father. There is no better place to run than to the One who knows you completely.

I’m not saying the pain will disappear. But I am saying God will be right there in the middle of it. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

He knows your future. He has a destiny prepared — planned in detail. His intention is not to harm you but to surround you with peace and to give you a beautiful future glistening with hope.

And until that day comes…

Live like you are dying — because we are.

Tomorrow is not promised. So embrace the assignment. Finish your race. Keep the faith.