Belle Tan
1message 2books 3invites 4takeaways
Our God is a faithful God. It took me six years to arrive at AWE2021 since my first encounter with Pastor Henson and his team at an AAA Seminar in 2015. There, while still clueless about my kingdom assignments, He opened my eyes to the one message to know Jesus as my King, what my kingdom assignment is and fulfil it. Fast forward to 2019. At Tung Ling Bible School, Pastor Henson happened to be one of the lecturers and the same message was spoken to me once again. Earlier this year, I signed up for the AAA webinar to hear the same message for the third time. This seed that was sown in my heart was ready to take root and grow. Attending AWE2021 was a decision prompted by the Holy Spirit. I wanted to know my kingdom assignment and how I may truly align myself with the Lord. To prepare for AWE2021. I read the two books Say to Archippus and Alignment Check. 1 message, 2 books, 3 invites and here are four takeaways from AWE2021.
The Heart of Father God
The heart of Father God touched me. Pastor Henson said that our kingdom assignment is an answer to someone’s prayer, a blessing to someone. I was reminded of being the hands and feet of Jesus. This is the love of God for those He has already put along our paths. I know that I do not really have to look around for people to bless, I just have to start where we are with a kingdom mindset.
The Posture of Rest
One of the many misalignments I have is “striving” to be a good Christian, so much so that I often feel guilty when I do not perform well. I become more like a man-pleaser, seeking the favour and approval of people. Little did I know that I can work from a posture of rest! I can rest in that relationship of love with God. Imagine the relief I felt when I finally understood and accepted that “whilst God employs our strengths, He excels in our weakness”, and that “abilities do not dictate the determining of assignments, abilities facilitate the fulfilling of assignments”. Furthermore, though not all assignments will be easy, my God who assigns me will certainly empower me and invite me to return to rest in Him.
The Power of Journaling
Some of us may be waiting on the Lord for our kingdom assignments hence it is important to check our communication lines with Him; engaging our spiritual antenna to hear what God is saying and just taking the baby steps in obeying God’s voice. I particularly benefited from the advice to record every impression, every word, every thought when I sense the Lord speaking and to just act on my faith by sending a text to someone or giving as He leads. Of course, we should also seek godly counsel to sharpen and affirm that we are hearing from God and not be so conceited as to think that God can speak to us only.
The Joy of the Lord
For the longest time I have been searching for the joy God promised in His Word. Then one day as I was reading the epistles of Paul, I came to realise what joy may truly mean. It is certainly not a feeling gained from accumulating material goods, nor happiness just in good times. Rather, it is in both good and bad times, when we know God is with us and the peace of Christ is upon us that we can declare what the apostle Paul exclaimed, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Indeed, the joy of the Lord is my strength. As I discover and move on my kingdom assignment, I know that this joy will outweigh the challenges I face.
With these takeaways, my Archippian journey has just begun. I want to seek Him first, my King and His kingdom, His will, and His ways. As He makes clear my misalignments, I want to humbly submit to Him. And as echoed by many Archippuses who are already out there, let us be aligned and let God assign.
When the King assigns, He also authorises and those who are ready to be assigned for the kingdom, will be duly authorised with the keys of the kingdom. Pastor Henson, Alignment Check
“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.” (Colossians 1:28-29 ESV)
Praise be to God!