Lesson #1 Work WITHIN Your Anointing

Perfectly Cut Out For

Many years ago I was in a Bible study and the teacher showed us some cookie cutters along with the exact shape of sponges she had cut out, one for each empty space reflecting a position within a ministry or church.

The teacher explained and showed us how PERFECTLY each sponge, which represented a position, fit into each shape it was designed to fit.

Then she picked up the “star” and showed how easily the star could fit itself into every other cookie cutter shape, even though it always showed it left a few gaps in it.

I knew right away that I was that “star” who volunteered for everything and began feeling guilty. I knew God had indeed given me MANY talents and I thought I was always careful to make sure I used what He had given me. But it’s then that I realized that I often didn’t sit back and wait for the heart to fill a position perfectly suited or anointed for a heart position, nor the moon to take her rightful spot—since each of them didn’t move as quickly as the shooting star could move—which is why my hand would quickly shoot up to volunteer for everything. What I never realized was that by volunteering for things I was not designed to do, I was blocking the opportunities designed for others to fulfill.

Some of us are more suited and anointed and designed to do ministering tasks, while others administrative and technical tasks. 

“Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:20-22

Lusts are simply urges and impulses to do things that are not led by a mature spirit. 

Thankfully the teacher helped me feel a bit better by explaining it wasn’t entirely the star who was to blame. Each person needs to step up and fill her own position, tasks and opportunities she is anointed and called to do, because very often it’s because they don’t step up, which then pushes the star to do it all.

Yet, it wasn’t until I was a much wiser woman that I fully understood the significance of stars in our galaxy of ministries and churches. The Lord showed me how He had been using me to step forward, work with Him to start something new, but later to find the right person for that job or task or position—which, as it turned out, was designed specifically for them. For instance, I started more than 2 swim teams that are still going strong today—years after I started them. 

There was an older woman who needed income and who was a much better swim coach than I ever would be. It was her life. So when my 3 Restoration babies began coming, and I also had my ministry that was growing, I asked her to take it for me. And as I said, I recently saw they are still number 1 in the area, because I was willing to be used to start it, but equally as important, know when it was time to find someone else who was better suited for that position.

You may have noticed that my ministry has also changed from not really ministering myself, but instead to focus on training ministers, which is why I began RMIOU. So rather than do the tasks myself, instead, I generally work with Him, to get something started, but then step back and find the ministers who fit that position and can fill it much better than I ever could—because they are “perfectly cut out for” it.

Nevertheless, if any of us who are stars continued doing what we were not “cut out” to do, we will block and prevent those who will be blessed by fulfilling His call on their lives. But also, without us letting go at the proper time, and training someone to fill that position, we would be unable to do the next thing and the next thing and the next thing He is calling us to do. Again, in the same way, if those who are called for a task do not step up, and fail to fill the positions they are cut out for, then it will mean the body, this ministry, is not functioning as it should and we become handicapped.

No matter what your anointing is, be sure you don’t play into the enemy’s hands and help him to “wear out the saints” by not stepping up and faithfully fill the position you were perfectly cut out for. 🙂

Are you more anointed and have a heart for ministering?

If the Lord has given you a heart for ministering, don’t try to fill the positions and tasks that require a minister who is anointed technically. If you do, you will not only cause mishaps from occurring, but you will rob other ministers who are being called to help administratively.

Or are you administratively gifted?

Then realize that without you, our Online Ministry Team would cease to exist. Never believe for a minute the lie that says you are not really a minister. Because without ministers who are gifted and anointed to build and maintain our website and all that goes into providing it to be so easily accessible to women around the world, how could what we share be experienced?

Are you like me, always shooting forward to volunteer; do you sense you may be used as a star?

No worries and this isn't time for false humility. Our ministries and churches NEED those who are highly gifted. Just remember, your job is to be willing to step forward and fill the position first, so you know how to do it well enough to train others. Then SG to FIND the right minister to take your place: train and then encourage her until she is situated. 

* The pitfall to a star is when you’re too busy doing, doing, doing and fail to see those who are around you who are probably better suited to fill that position you’ve mastered—ministers who need you to train and encourage them. 

**Of course there are stars who suffer from a bad case of pride 🙁 but that’s easily remedied by just remembering who is the piano and who is the Composer and Pianist!

So, stop now and SG for wisdom to know how perfectly and wonderfully He made you! 

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it [until it is finally finished] [bringing it to full completion] until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 AMP

“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14

“Your eyes have seen my unformed substance.” Psalm 139:16

“And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30

Don’t be ashamed if you were made a star (as I have often felt). Instead, begin to understand that He’s calling you to learn, but then find and train and encourage others to fill the position once you’ve mastered it.

If you are anything of the other MANY shapes, again, don’t you feel ashamed or less of a person, because each of us plays a unique and very important part in the body. A body or ministry is “handicapped” only when it lacks a hand or a foot or even just one finger or toe. So each of you—step up and say “Here I am, use me!” when you know you fit that position or can learn to fill a position that needs someone who loves the Lord like you do—someone just waiting to be used.

* Pay it forward. Don’t hold on to ANYTHING you have been trained to do. 

"The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where He wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

All of US together are His body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:

first are apostles,

second are prophets,

third are teachers,

then those who do miracles,

those who have the gift of healing,

those who can help others,

those who have the gift of leadership,

those who speak in different languages.

Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in other languages? Of course not! So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.

But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 NLT