Question: What can God do?  Answer: Anything He wants to.  Question: Why can God do that?  Answer: Because He is God.  Question: Does any Christian have the right to object or question God’s assignment?  Answer: No.  Question: Do Christians question… resent… dislike the assignment given them?  Answer: Yes… many of them.  And as a result they are AWOL (Living in disobedience to God’s call).

Getting Personal. Many Christians don’t like the assignment God has given them.  They’d rather be doing something else… somewhere else… with different people.  Not only that, many Christians refuse to answer God’s call (Discipleship, Missions, Evangelism, Tithing, Prayer, etc).  There are those who are jealous of others who, in their opinion, God has given a “better” assignment (Romans 9:20-21).  And those who have the “good assignments” tend to look down on those given the “less desirable” assignments (1 Corinthians 4:6-7)!

Romans 9:20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21  Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use? (Comment: God can do whatever He wants!)

1 Cor 4:6 (Do) not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

In America, Christians want an assignment that is physically safe… without adversity or difficulty… that has great benefits… where they are well known… where God is moving and exciting things are happening.  Sadly, most American Christians want the high profile assignments and may tend look down on the low profile, less enviable ones.

Want me to prove it?  The first question asked by Christians before they go on a mission trip is… “Is it safe?”  The most compelling questions ministers want to ask (But know they have to wait on) are… What are the schools like?  What will I be paid?  Is the community growing?  What is the standard of living?  Has the church been growing?  What is the average age of the congregation?

Here’s the chain of command: God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit… You (Me).  Christians have been bought with a price (drafted) and therefore have no right to oppose, dislike, or rebel against any assignment given to them.  1 Cor 6:19, “You are not your own, 20  for you were bought with a price.”

Therefore… If God sends you to a church that is dying, it’s not your right to say no.  If you do, you are AWOL.  If God sends you to a place that is stagnant, it’s not your right to say no.  If you do, you are AWOL.  If God sends you to a place where you’ll be maligned, opposed, attacked, and/or persecuted, it’s not your right to say no.  If you do, you are AWOL.  If God calls you to a place where you know you’ll be killed, and you don’t go.  You are AWOL.

However… if God chooses to give you a place that He has decided to bless, thank Him for His grace and don’t look down on others.  If God chooses to use you in a time of pleanty and blessing and bounty, thank Him for His grace and be faithful.  If God chooses to have many people believe in Him where you are serving, thank Him for His grace and don’t get the big head lest He do to you as He did with Paul.  God has been known to transfer His own from one place to another!

God has a call for every believer.  Some will be blessed to see God do wonderful things.  Others will struggle and fight and work just to keep their head above water.  There are a few God calls to see little fruit during their life before they are killed in action (Literally).  The basis for rewards is the same for every believer, regardless of call… OBEDIENCE.

Are you AWOL or being obedient?