This article what I call ‘Flows’. Flow, by definition, means a moving stream of something forward. For instance, a flow of water or a flow of numbers like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The number 2 follows 1, 3 follows 2, etc. To get to the number 5, you go through the previous 4 numbers. This article is about Christian flows. These are flows that I have seen of how God moves us forward in his ways. The Flow in this article is: “3 Cs To Getting to Your Assignment: Calling > Consecration > Commissioning”.

Calling

Doing your assignment doesn’t automatically happen just because God has given you one. There are his steps and there are your steps. Understanding the process helps you to be successful. We need to know that God picks your assignment. This is what calling means. You are called. You don’t pick your assignment and then ask God to bless it. He assigned your calling when you were created. Live close enough to hear his calling over you. If you stay close, you won’t miss it. 

Pray: Holy Spirit, what is it you want me to do?

We often fight the calling God has for our life. This is because we don’t know we are created to do it. We think we know better. He will let you go your own way. But in the end, you will not be happy. Even if you think you will, you won’t. Because what you are doing doesn’t match up with the way he created you. Purpose is already programmed into your spiritual genes along with your physical genes. So yield to his direction and you will find delight in his destiny for you. 

Pray: Holy Spirit, am I cooperating or fighting with you?

Consecration

Consecrate means to make holy for a purpose. The next step is to say yes to your calling. When you do, it starts a process of circumstances and teachings by Holy Spirit to get you trained. The calling doesn’t make you qualified yet to fulfill your calling. It is just a calling. When you say yes, the ‘school of Holy Spirit’ starts. Calling is like saying yes to going to trade school. In trade school, you have internships and labs, but you don’t graduate till you finish all requirements. Commissioning is like a trade school graduation. It may be months or years before you’re commissioned. Even then, you are just starting your career, but you are starting! 

Pray: Holy Spirit, help me be a good patient student in your trade school.

In the consecration phase, he gives you training assignments, labs, and internships. You are ministering. You don’t just sit in the classroom. Matter of fact, most of the training is in actual doing. So take where you are at seriously. Do each thing to the best of your ability, get better and more skilled through practice.  

Pray: Holy Spirit, help me learn all I can at the speed you want me to.

A large part of the consecration phase is to move us towards holiness, as mentioned already. For his anointing to flow through us, we need to remove as much of ourselves as possible. What does this mean? Means switching our identity for his, switching our actions for his, switching our words for his. Have you noticed him working in you like this? Always say yes – it is part of the consecration process.

Commissioning

There comes a day when you (and probably others) know that you are commissioned to do what he has called you to do. This can be in business, government, education, arts & entertainment, church, etc. The graduation process looks different depending on what you are doing. When this happens, it means you have passed your initial training. Remember, the lessons you have learned will be a lifetime process. He will continually teach you new skills and holiness. 

Pray: Holy Spirit, help to never think I have arrived.