When I think of anointing, the first thing that comes to my mind is a king or an Old Testament prophet was anointed to serve in their calling and role. Often olive oil was used to symbolize that the person being anointed was identified, set apart, consecrated, and made holy for the position/role they would be taking on and doing.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary states the following:

ANOINT’ING, participle present tense Smearing with oil; pouring on oil, or other oleaginous substance; consecrating.

ANOINT’ING, noun The act of smearing with oil; a consecrating.

http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/anointing

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting this weekend about myself and what it means to say “Yes to God’s Best.” Saturday morning I attended a workshop by this title where the participants looked at 5 things about themselves. These included: spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences. I was fascinated by my findings.

Results:
Primary Spiritual Gifts: Teacher, Counselor & Wisdom are my top three. My secondary gifts are: Service, Music, Shepherding, and Faith.
Heart (Passion): People: I am passionate about reaching women (and men) who struggle with addictions and shame. Roles: I am passionate about are technology/Internet, instrumental music, teaching, counseling, speaking and writing. Causes: I am passionate about are defeating pornography and sex trafficking (which feeds porn) and learning more about Jesus and God’s Word through Bible studies.
Abilities (talents/skills): what I do best includes: Arts: pianist, photography, media-editing/producing. Business administration: accounting, writing, editing, data entry, and research. Building upkeep: repair/maintenance. People/Activities: athletics/outdoors, group leading/facilitating, public speaking, teaching/training. Technical: computer using, webpage design, camera operator. Trades: medical esp. clinical laboratory science and professional counseling.
Personality: Meyers-Briggs: ISTJ. Peaceful personality and practical personality. Color Code: blue-white. Strengthsfinder.com: learner, consistent, responsible, harmony, and analytical.
Experiences: There are many life experiences that have significantly impacted my life and how I view the world. I have been influenced by many people, events, achievements, pain, and joy. I’m still working through this section of worksheets.

Then this morning in church, there was a guest pastor who oversees Missionary Central in Iowa. He helps missionaries when they are home on furlough for whatever their needs are and he speaks around the country sharing their stories and asking for prayer and financial support. He spoke about Jesus reading from the scroll of Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Luke 4:18-19, NIV. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+4%3A14-29&version=NIV

Jesus was anointed by his Heavenly Father to proclaim, recover, set free and proclaim even more! And he declared that in the hearing of his reading this passage, it is fulfilled.

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. ²He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:20-21, NIV

Notice that all eyes were fixed on Jesus. He is to be our focus at all times. He was anointed to carry out these roles/responsibilities and He continues to carry them out even today.

So, the pastor then went on to speak about how each one of us, as members of the body of Christ, have also been called by God (anointed) to carry out specific roles in proclaiming the Gospel (Good News of Jesus Christ) to everyone around us and even to the ends of the earth. Paul addresses this directly:

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22, NIV. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+corinthians+1&version=NIV

God anoints us when we come to acceptance and receiving into our hearts that Jesus paid the penalty of death for my sins and that he rose up from the grave on the third day, victorious over the power of sin, death, and Satan. God through the Holy Spirit seals us with his mark of the cross on our hearts and foreheads and placing His Spirit into our hearts to counsel and guide us in carrying out our anointing/calling.

So, in all the reflecting I’ve been doing over this weekend, I know that God has called me to proclaim the Good News with all who will listen. My heart/passion wants to speak to groups of people about this amazing Good News. Jesus has helped me through various trials, struggles, and difficulties in life including perfectionism and addictions. His Spirit comforted me in my dark times. I now desire to carry out my anointing my comforting others with the same comfort God has given me.

Are you challenged by this calling / anointing? You, too, have been called by God in your own unique way. Please take the time to listen to God, reading the Bible, and obeying His leading. I would love to hear how God is calling you to be his hands and feet to those around you.

If you would like to hear the sermon I am referring to from this morning, please watch the following video – Pastor Brent Smith’s message begins at minute 33.