A couple of months ago my mom was here visiting and we were having a conversation in regards to the church. She made a comment that everywhere she looks now there is a Prophet or Evangelist or some other person with this great title in church. It made me stop and really think. I don’t think people really realize the cost of the title. It is not something that you gain overnight. It is not something that you can get by going to school. Anointing is Gods right to bestow on whom He chooses when He chooses how He chooses.
Got questions.org says this about the original anointing: “The origin of anointing was from a practice of shepherds. Lice and other insects would often get into the wool of sheep, and when they got near the sheep's head, they could burrow into the sheep's ears and kill the sheep. So, ancient shepherds poured oil on the sheep's head. This made the wool slippery, making it impossible for insects to get near the sheep's ears because the insects would slide off. From this, anointing became symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment.” Looking at this definition we see that there is an application of oil for protection, for blessing, for power. God didn’t change the origin of the anointing. We think that if we go to certain schools and hold certain degrees or if we labor in the church for X number of years then will get a title and we will then be the anointed man or woman of God. How false, what lies, what a desecration of the power of the Lord thy God!
God‘s power cannot be endowed onto man by another man. Man can only confirm The call that God has already put on your life. God has told us in Jeremiah that he knows the plans He has for us. Being a child of God requires sacrifice. It requires us being willing to give up many things in our lives. The 10th chapter of Mark, versus 35-40 reads: “35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
Often times we think we can handle the burden of the title. But as Jesus explained to John and James, they didn’t understand what they were asking. I have around Christians and churchfolk for the last 12 years on this journey of discipleship. I’ve been a member of several different ministries, committees, and groups. I am always amazed at the people who have titles and think they come with no responsibility. But they’re quick to flex their authority. Being God chosen doesn’t mean that you hold power over anyone. It does mean that you are to serve those in your charge. The 10th chapter of Marc finishes out this way: “41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
If you hold the title and you are servant so SERVE!!!!!