Get Your Pretense On!

118 • Get Your Pretense On!

with duties shaped by our own unique life calling. It is in these unique roles and relationships that God’s call is often revealed. 23

Principle 2: The Equipping This involves the representative receiving appropriate training, provision, and resources to fulfill the call. It is safe to say that God never calls a man or woman to do or endure anything without providing them with the necessary opportunity, resources, and strength to accomplish that thing. Truly, a representative is an emissary , one who is sent by another. S/he is assigned to go somewhere, do something, or fulfill some task. The mission assumes resource, guidance, aid, and support. The task is always accompanied by the necessary resources to accomplish the work. This may involve a range of things: training, gifts, support, and help, especially mentorship and coaching. Think of Paul again, and his retreat into Arabia immediately after his conversion (Gal. 1.13-24). After violently persecuting the church God set him apart for a work, a specific mission to reach Gentiles with the Gospel. Paul did not go to Jerusalem to hob nob with the apostles. Rather, he went into Arabia, returning to Damascus. It was three years later that he went to Jerusalem and saw Peter and James. His point was clear: the one who had worked mightily in them to do their job, was working mightily in him to do his. Whatever it is that God has for you to do, he will provide you with all the open doors, monies, support, counsel, and direction you’ll need to get it done! All that you need to accomplish God’s will he will provide as you rely on him (“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”, Phil. 4.19). God will not ask you to represent him in something that he does not give you the strength to accomplish his will.