Commentary: Guarding the baggage or leading the charge. What is your role?

By: DaniJo Avia

September 16, 2020 - Imagine coming home from work; you and your team have been gone for several days and you’re looking forward to sitting in your favorite chair with a cold beverage and catching up with your wife and children before showering the dust off the road and then tackling all the things that got placed on hold while you were away.

But when you arrive home, instead of the neat garden your mother planted, or your home that you just finished the addition for the new baby due anytime, you find a smoldering pile, the garden destroyed, and every house in your neighborhood is a smoking pile of ruins.

Then those people with whom you were traveling, those people who are your coworkers and neighbors, turn on you and blame you for this mess. Fear, anger, despair and frustration fuel the spiteful words they emotionally vomit over you. Men who were praising you 30 minutes ago now call for your death.

We are in a moment of time that is every bit as history making as that day at Ziklag (1 Sam 30). In the history of the United States, a day as important as Paul Revere’s midnight ride.

We have just celebrated as our president, with the help of so many who worked behind the scenes, brokered a peace treaty between two nations that have been on opposite sides for what seems like forever.

The other day as I was working I was listening to the worship stream of the Kansas City International House of Prayer. One of those who was declaring began praying over the nation and the people of Israel. Those who worshipped with their voices and with instruments picked up and carried the prayers with their music.

A while later, a woman began declaring over Africa and I was struck that there is no difference in the Lord’s eyes between the one who declares and the one who works behind the scenes.

In a blinding insight, I understood that in our Lord’s eyes there is no difference between the one who sends up a worship offering - brokers a Peace Accord - and the one is credited for the Accord.

In the eyes of our Creator, there is no difference between the actions of the one who joins a President Donald Trump boat parade, the one who searches out and shares Truth, the one who challenges illegal or unlawful mandates and actions, the one who privately cries out praying for justice and for the Lord to move on behalf of His people, and the one who is recognized and lauded publicly; they are all priceless.

As Hagar discovered (Gen 16:13), God sees each of us. He sees our actions, sees and knows our hearts, our motivations, our intentions, and our individual abilities.

He counts each action and each word as a fragrant offering. He hears, He sees, and He has promised to act on our behalf (2 Chronicles 7:14) when we turn to Him and cry out to Him.

Each of us has a role to play; each of us is important in God’s eyes and in His plan.

David knew this as he acknowledged and made a decree that those who were too weary from their travel and stayed behind to guard their supplies and baggage, and those in the surrounding areas where they roamed, were to share in the bounty and the glory with those who fought on the front lines and rescued what was stolen.

So the question is - what is YOUR role? What is the Lord calling on you to do?

Whatever your role is doesn’t have to be headline making. In fact, you will most likely think it’s “nothing”, that “anyone can do it”. The fact is that no one can take your place or have your impact.

Do you sew masks for the fearful - and pray the peace of the Lord over them as you do?

Do you strap on your Kevlar and head out to protect a city for the 100+ nights from those who want to burn it down while a mayor and governor sit complacent, even applauding and assisting the destroyers while spitting on you and your fellow law enforcers?

Are you a military spouse who watches while her husband\his wife heads somewhere to do something that protects our country, our way of life and our freedom, praying for him\her and his\her team that they all return safe?

Are you a computer geek who burns for the Truth and like a bloodhound, searches out the truth, joining with others to follow the facts and in doing so, exposes lies, corruption and deceit; sharing your findings and never known beyond the moniker “Anon”?

If that is you, then like Paul Revere - the light of the message you send from the top of a church steeple will turn the tide.

Do you support the homeless shelters or food banks in your area? Do you donate money or food, make meals, serve meals, or pray for those that do?

Do you like people and gather people together wherever you go? With that gift, do you draw people together to support a cause, take action, and leave your community, your city, your county or state a better place because of the “party” you arranged?

Do you visit the sick and the infirm leaving them touched by love, hope and compassion?

Do you offer children a safe place to grow, away from the abuse and deprivation of their former lives?

Do you raise chickens, grow corn, oranges or lettuce that feed a nation? Do you drill for oil to power our cars, heat our homes, and supply electricity that lights the darkness? Do you drive those chickens, deliver that oil, stock the grocery store shelves, or deliver that online order?

Whatever you do, do it “As unto the Lord”. We need you.

Listen to what the Spirit is speaking to your heart. Ask yourself; what are YOUR gifts, YOUR talents, and YOUR abilities? What are YOU REALLY good at? What comes easily and naturally to YOU?

Whatever it is, DO IT! Act, do and say “As unto the Lord”. Let your fragrant offering mingle with those beside you. No one can do what YOU can do. You are unique, special, and needed. NO ONE can ever replace you.