Many times, we may feel insecure about who we are and what we are called to do in life. We may feel like we’re not good enough to accomplish our life’s assignment. God doesn’t want us to flaunt ourselves pridefully like the world, but He also doesn’t want us to be intimidated. How do we find the balance between humility and confidence? Let’s look at Jesus’ perfect example:
So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:16-22, NKJV)
Jesus’ calling was greater than anyone else’s in history, and He wasn’t afraid to admit it. He was confident in Who He was and what He was called to do. He didn’t hide shyly behind a bush performing miracles, but operated confidently in such a way that others could see. He was so confident that those who knew him well were shocked. The familiarity bothered them so much that they later couldn’t receive miracles through Him (Mark 6:5). Yet Jesus maintained His confidence because He knew where His authority came from.
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes (Mark 1:22, KJV).
Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him” (Mark 1:27, NKJV).
In His confidence, Jesus kept perfect humility. He admitted that He couldn’t do what He did in His own power. He knew well that His authority came from the God the Father, and His empowerment came from the Holy Spirit:
For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak (John 12:49, NKJV).
Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” (John 5:19-20, NKJV).
Even God the Father directed Jesus’ declaration in Luke 4. Though Jesus had read Scriptures in the synagogue many times before, He did not announce Isaiah’s fulfillment until that day. The Father directed Him to find that passage and instructed Him to read it. It was the Father’s method of announcing to the world that He had sent the prophesied and long-awaited Savior. He later backed it up with signs and wonders. The method and timing were His plan.
Like Jesus, we have an assignment on the earth. When we were born again, He gave us the same Great Commission He gave to the disciples, making us His ambassadors (Mark 16:15-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20). With that assignment, He gave us spiritual authority with power (Luke 10:19). But to function in that calling, we must first know it and believe it. That is why He gave us His Word. He wants us to know what is the “hope of His calling” (Ephesians 1:18)!
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:12-15, NKJV).
Once we know who God has made us to be and what His assignment is for our lives, we should confidently declare it. God said to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.” Confession means to say the same thing as someone else. It is agreement. When we agree with what God says about us, He expects us to say what He says about us. It’s not an act of pride, but an act of confidence in what He said.
Our calling in life is not just preaching the Gospel, however. God has also assigned us to be parents, businesspeople, teachers, and doctors. These God-given gifts and assignments require anointing just like laying hands on the sick. We can attempt to accomplish them by ourselves, but it will be a weak attempt compared to operating through God’s power. But the moment we submit them to Him, we can confidently say, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, NIV)! It’s an announcement of confidence in our Heavenly Father!
God may not tell us to stand on a platform before hundreds and announce our spiritual identity and assignment. But our daily lifestyle should be a confident declaration of who we are. As we live holy, share the Gospel, and pray for people, there should be no doubt in people’s minds where our authority and power come from. It’s not a prideful, obnoxious declaration, but one filled with “gracious words” that draw them to Jesus and build His Kingdom (Luke 4:22)!
Christa Madrid 