Your Gifting Brings Life or Death
Aligning under God's authority gives life!
For years, I’ve wrestled with the tension of seeking provision and authority outside of God’s alignment and authority. The truth is, when I align myself with Him—submitting to His authority and trusting in His Word—I am empowered to live out my unique assignment with His provision, protection, and divine authority. This alignment enables me to exercise my gifts joyfully and purposefully in a way that reflects His glory.
However, when I step out of alignment—operating my gifts apart from His authority—I strive under the world’s system. In doing so, I lose the spiritual power, provision, and joy from being in sync with His will.
Consider Adam and Eve: they were placed in the garden with a divine assignment, full authority, and all the necessary provisions. But when they chose to act outside of God’s authority, they forfeited the fullness of what He had given them. Their autonomy to choose (because God doesn’t just create a bunch of robots) wasn’t about God desiring compliance but a loving invitation to align with Him willingly.
So here’s my Never Finished challenge to you:
1. Reflect on Alignment
Ask yourself: Am I fully aligned with God in how I’m using my gifts right now? Take time to examine whether your actions and decisions are under His authority or influenced by the world’s systems.
2. Envision God’s Authority in Your Life
Imagine what it would look like for you to operate in your unique assignment while fully under God’s authority. Consider how His provision and protection might transform your efforts.
3. Identify One Area to Submit to God
Choose a specific area of your life (e.g., work, relationships, finances, or your gifting) and commit it to God. Ask Him to guide your decisions in this area for the next month.
4. Pray Daily for Guidance
Spend time each day praying for God’s direction in the area you’re surrendering. Ask Him to reveal any areas where you’re striving in your own strength and to help you trust His authority.
5. Engage with Scripture
Dive into the Word to better understand God’s promises and authority. Focus on passages that encourage trust and alignment with Him, such as Proverbs 3:5-6 or John 15:5.
6. Observe and Journal the Difference
Pay attention to what changes as you realign with God in this area. Write down moments of provision, peace, or purpose you experience during this time.
7. Seek Support and Accountability
Share your journey with someone you trust—a friend, mentor, or accountability partner. Let them encourage and pray with you as you step into alignment.
8. Step Boldly in Faith
Act in obedience to God’s guidance. Use your gifts with confidence, knowing that His authority and provision empower you to fulfill your unique purpose.
9. Celebrate God’s Work
At the end of the month, reflect on how God has moved in your life. Celebrate His faithfulness and consider how you can continue living in alignment with Him.
What does today say about God?
God did not create humanity to observe for His sadistic pleasure: it would be sadistic because we are sick (if there were no intentional relationship with humankind, the Trinity would be the Truman Show, just watching and toying with the lost characters). Instead, out of perfect and unconditional love, the Trinity Incomprehensibly exuded all creation, intentionally and purposefully, with the divine choice to invite us into an eternal relationship. The relationship is possible because the Trinity stripped Himself of His divine clothes for human rags, claiming all who would say yes to Him without reservation or thought for their past, present, or future sins. I wish I had more words and far better words, but for now, I am confident that He LOVES me, and it is such a great love that my mind cannot conceive of it—if I could understand it, I would burst into a trillion particles. Thank you, Jesus.