Our Identity, Our Calling, and Our Assignment
“And behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” — Matthew 3:17 (ESV)
I wanted to take a moment to share something I’ve been doing daily that I believe will help you as well. This passage is one of only two instances in Scripture where Jesus audibly heard the voice of God. He may have heard it more often, but only two occasions are recorded; and in both, the Father says the same thing: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
To say these passages matter is an understatement. Before Jesus ever did anything in ministry, the Father communicated that He was His Son, that He was loved, and that He was well pleased in Him.
Think about that for a moment. He is my Father. He loves me. He is well-pleased in me.
How much would change if we lived from that truth instead of trying to prove we are worthy of His love?
I know this is the journey I’m on right now, to continually saturate myself in this simple yet profound truth.
Here’s how I’ve been doing that:
Identity | What’s my identity? I’ve boiled it down to a few simple truths: I am a son of God. I’m a husband to Lauren, and I’m a father to Wes and David.
So often, we make our identity about what we do instead of who we are called to. Every bit of integrity in my life comes from those relationships I just listed. I have zero authority to do anything outside of those priorities being my focus.
I believe that’s why the Father spoke those words to Jesus: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, “ before He did anything in ministry. God wanted Jesus to live from His identity, not for it.
Calling | “Calling” can be such a complicated word in our religious culture, but it’s not meant to be. So many mixed messages are sent about different callings, but I want to get to the heart of what calling truly means.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism, a foundational document in Reformed Protestantism, defines the chief end of man as: “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
Think about that. At its core, our calling is the same: to use the gifts God has given us to glorify Him, not just parts of ourselves, but all of who we are. Whatever we put our hands to, and with whatever gifting we have, we are called to bring Him glory.
And that second part gets me every time: “To enjoy Him forever.”
Learning to enjoy the Lord is key to understanding our calling. Wherever we are and in whatever we do, we are invited to enjoy Him. So don’t over-spiritualize your calling. Instead, learn to glorify God and enjoy Him in all things.
Assignment | I want you to notice that in neither of the first two categories, identity or calling, did I mention being a pastor.
My assignment for now is to be the pastor of Opendoor Church, but that won’t last forever. Callings don’t change, but assignments do. I am at my most dysfunctional when I confuse my identity with my assignment, instead of remembering that my identity, calling, and assignment are all very different.
When my identity is secure in Him, my calling is clear, and my assignment is held with open hands, I can operate in peace and rest. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
In this season, I go through these three truths almost daily, constantly allowing my heart to live into them. Hopefully, they’ll help you too. The truth is, we’re all on this journey together.
Prayer | Father, thank You that before we ever do a thing, You call us beloved. Teach us to live from our identity as Your sons and daughters, to glorify You in all we do, and to hold every assignment with open hands. Help us find rest in knowing that You are pleased with us, not because of what we do, but because of who You are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I wanted to take a moment to share something I’ve been doing daily that I believe will help you as well. This passage is one of only two instances in Scripture where Jesus audibly heard the voice of God. He may have heard it more often, but only two occasions are recorded; and in both, the Father says the same thing: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
To say these passages matter is an understatement. Before Jesus ever did anything in ministry, the Father communicated that He was His Son, that He was loved, and that He was well pleased in Him.
Think about that for a moment. He is my Father. He loves me. He is well-pleased in me.
How much would change if we lived from that truth instead of trying to prove we are worthy of His love?
I know this is the journey I’m on right now, to continually saturate myself in this simple yet profound truth.
Here’s how I’ve been doing that:
Identity | What’s my identity? I’ve boiled it down to a few simple truths: I am a son of God. I’m a husband to Lauren, and I’m a father to Wes and David.
So often, we make our identity about what we do instead of who we are called to. Every bit of integrity in my life comes from those relationships I just listed. I have zero authority to do anything outside of those priorities being my focus.
I believe that’s why the Father spoke those words to Jesus: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, “ before He did anything in ministry. God wanted Jesus to live from His identity, not for it.
Calling | “Calling” can be such a complicated word in our religious culture, but it’s not meant to be. So many mixed messages are sent about different callings, but I want to get to the heart of what calling truly means.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism, a foundational document in Reformed Protestantism, defines the chief end of man as: “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
Think about that. At its core, our calling is the same: to use the gifts God has given us to glorify Him, not just parts of ourselves, but all of who we are. Whatever we put our hands to, and with whatever gifting we have, we are called to bring Him glory.
And that second part gets me every time: “To enjoy Him forever.”
Learning to enjoy the Lord is key to understanding our calling. Wherever we are and in whatever we do, we are invited to enjoy Him. So don’t over-spiritualize your calling. Instead, learn to glorify God and enjoy Him in all things.
Assignment | I want you to notice that in neither of the first two categories, identity or calling, did I mention being a pastor.
My assignment for now is to be the pastor of Opendoor Church, but that won’t last forever. Callings don’t change, but assignments do. I am at my most dysfunctional when I confuse my identity with my assignment, instead of remembering that my identity, calling, and assignment are all very different.
When my identity is secure in Him, my calling is clear, and my assignment is held with open hands, I can operate in peace and rest. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
In this season, I go through these three truths almost daily, constantly allowing my heart to live into them. Hopefully, they’ll help you too. The truth is, we’re all on this journey together.
Prayer | Father, thank You that before we ever do a thing, You call us beloved. Teach us to live from our identity as Your sons and daughters, to glorify You in all we do, and to hold every assignment with open hands. Help us find rest in knowing that You are pleased with us, not because of what we do, but because of who You are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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