Spiritual Assignments

[God] decided beforehand when [nations] should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist.

Acts 17:26-28

Angela and her husband, Miles, have a strong sense of purpose. Convenience store owners in Blackfoot, Idaho, they get up at five each morning and ask God to open their eyes and ears to any assignment God has for them. In Angela’s long, hectic workdays, she can be so busy that she misses the divine appointment. But this passage from Acts has been a daily reminder that God has placed nations, cities, and even people in small towns like Blackfoot just where they are. In his sovereign plan are opportunities Angela doesn’t want to miss.

“Ministry encompasses so many avenues,” Angela told me, “and my concept of spiritual assignments is an everyday thing, not just some big thing. I don’t want to ever be so busy working that I miss whom God has put in my path.”

One day an older woman came in. As she paid for her items, Angela could sense a heaviness. “I haven’t seen you for a while. How are you and your husband?”

“He passed away recently,” the woman replied. Angela put down the cups she was carrying, wrapped the lady in her arms, and prayed for her briefly. “Thank you so much; I really needed that. I’ve been having a very hard day,” the woman said, wiping away a tear.

Whether she’s writing a verse of encouragement on the newsletter that goes out with their employees’ checks or encouraging a child after school, Angela aims to be sensitive to people and to God’s assignments.

What is your spiritual assignment today? If you listen and respond to it, life can be a great adventure, even in the stresses of work.

Lord, help me slow down enough to see the opportunities you’ve arranged. May I be sensitive and willing to be your hands and feet and fulfill the spiritual assignment you have for me today.

Blessed are those who see the hand of God in the haphazard, inexplicable, and seemingly senseless circumstances of life.

Erwin W. Lutzer(1941–), North American pastor and author