Anointing in Authenticity

It’s tempting when we see something that “works” to want to replicate that behavior as our own. For instance, we notice a certain ministry style has garnered a lot of positive attention from the church so we may be tempted to copy it. While sometimes this can lead to temporary success in both fruit and influence we risk missing out on the greater thing God has designed uniquely for us.

God created each person in His image but we are not all created the same. Each of us has been given unique characteristics in personality, appearance, calling, gifts, experience and even in our desires. God loves the distinctiveness of our personalities and desires to display facets of Himself through every individual. If we try to copy another’s gifts and calling we may find temporary success but in the long run we are trying to move in shoes that don’t completely fit. If you’ve ever run a marathon you know how painful that would be after a few miles.

Let’s look at David in 1 Samuel 17. Both David and Saul were anointed to be king but David understood he would not find success in copying Saul. When the Israelites were confronted by Goliath the giant David volunteers to fight him, confident he would secure the victory. King Saul offers David his armor to fight the brooding Philistine in, however, when David puts it on he finds it to be uncomfortable and difficult to move in and forgoes it.

Then Saul clothed David with his military attire and put a bronze helmet on his head, and outfitted him with armor. And David strapped on his sword over his military attire and struggled at walking, for he had not trained with the armor. So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, because I have not trained with them.” And David took them off. 1 Samuel 17:38-39 NASB

Why? Because David was never called to wear Saul’s armor. David understood that in order to defeat Goliath he had to stay true to who he was. David’s previous victories over great lions and bears came from armor-less confrontations with a simple slingshot and rock. That’s how David knew how to fight and in order to be victorious again he had to be authentic to who he was—a shepherd boy confronting a beast.

Then he took his staff in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, that is, in his shepherd’s pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:40

God knew where David came from and that his history would not limit him. In fact, it was the very thing the Lord used to launch David into victory and favor. It was an important moment for David stepping into his calling to be king over Israel because he gained the trust and respect of Saul and his men. Had he tried to battle Goliath in Saul’s armor he likely would not have survived. There was no anointing in David trying to be like Saul. His true anointing flowed as he walked authentically in who he was.

While there are certain ministers I love, I know if I try to be like them I will reject the unique gifts, experience, and training God has given only to me. Keep in mind, God will often draw our hearts to those who carry a similar anointing and call but He still wants you to walk it out in authenticity to who you are. I love Todd White but I won’t operate in my anointing trying to be like Todd. Can I learn from Todd? Absolutely, but mimicking is not the same as gleaning wisdom from another.

Also, be aware that anointing does not just come from authenticity. It comes from walking in ongoing obedience to God, intimacy with Him, understanding and walking out the Word of God, and more. By submitting to His will we are choosing to trust that the Lord knows the best way to use our gifts, experience, and personalities.