Study the Anointing in Your Life
Several years ago, while having a conversation with Mike Bickle (the director of IHOPKC), he encouraged me to do something that would end up being transformational in my calling as a worship leader. He told me to begin studying the anointing in my life. “Ask God and dialogue with Him about how He has specifically anointed you", he said. As I began to do this in the days and weeks to come, it would prove to be life-changing for me.
"Though the anointing can't be earned, it can be tended to and increased as you spend time with the Anointed One."
Your anointing is how you’re blessed or empowered. All believers are anointed to heal the brokenhearted, bring good news to the poor, bring sight to the blind, and freedom to captives. The question is, how has He anointed or gifted you to do that? For example, do you find that when you sing certain types of songs, high praise, or slow ballads, that you connect more with God? Maybe it's when you play a certain instrument that you find your flow easier. Or maybe you come alive when you compose a cello piece or write an arrangement for a choir. Paying attention to these practical things will help you figure out your anointing.
Bottom line—ask, “What moves my heart the most when I lead?” Because most of the time when you’re moved, others will be too.
"When you begin to solidify who you are and the way God has gifted or anointed you, it gives you the freedom to let go of other things that perhaps you’re not supposed to be pursuing."
As I started paying attention to how God desired to use me (both when leading on a platform and offstage), I began to understand what Mike was referring to. When you begin to solidify who you are and the way God has gifted or anointed you, it gives you freedom to let go of other things that perhaps you’re not supposed to be pursuing so that you can grow in confidence in what you are supposed to be doing. This doesn’t mean that you’re locking yourself into one thing and one thing only—it means that you’re maturing and can actually pinpoint some of your strengths. It also doesn’t mean that you should constantly be analyzing yourself and being introspective—it means to simply pay attention to what moves you and the trends that you begin to see.
"You can’t earn God’s anointing. It’s something that He has freely given to us and it flows from within as we agree with the Holy Spirit."
You can’t earn God’s anointing. It’s something that He has freely given to us and it flows from within as we agree with the Holy Spirit. Though the anointing can't be earned, it can be tended to and increased as you spend time with the Anointed One. Have you ever thought about how God has anointed you? If not, start asking Him today.
