An anointing to love
Almost two years ago, a complete stranger called out one of the deepest truths of my heart and released me to walk in my anointing. She spoke over me that I had a Barnabas anointing — an anointing to be a friend, lover, encourager and binder of broken hearts. Though it resonated completely, it was not a reality that I was walking in. I began to press into what it meant and uncovered a lot of revelation. I began to see myself walk in it more and more, but somewhere in the mix, the enemy came in and twisted my anointing to make it an area of weakness and sin.
That was about a year ago, and since then, I’ve been running from this anointing. I was hurt and broken in the area of friendship, and my default reaction was to run from what I knew and push out everyone who tried to pursue friendship with me. I became the polar opposite of what the Lord intended for me, and I am still in that place. But for the first time in many months, I don’t want to be that person anymore. I don’t want to be indifferent or uncaring or imcompassionate or selfish or proud anymore. I want to love people well. I want to love my family well. I want to love my friends well. I want to obey John’s admonition in 1 John 3 to love others in action and truth, rather than word or tongue.
Tonight I dug back through some resources that I wrote when I was uncovering what it meant to have a Barnabas anointing. In this passage, everywhere that it mentioned Barnabas, I declared it over my own life. This is my desire. This is who I want to become. This is where I’m headed. Let this be said of all of us. Insert your name in the blanks to see who God created you to be as well.
Kayla is a giver. She is a daughter of encouragement. She is selfless and loves her fellow believers. She is a Levite, meaning the Lord is her inheritance. She is wholly consecrated to the Lord. She is also a daughter of prophecy. Kayla trusts people when no one else does. She is often someone’s first friend who loves them well, even if they have been alone for many years. Kayla believes the best about others and introduces them to her community. Kayla’s acceptance, encouragement and love embolden people to preach the Word and walk into their destinies. Kayla is a woman of joy. She looks for grace everywhere she goes. She encourages people to remain faithful to God. She is full of the Holy Spirit and faith. People will be saved because of Kayla’s anointing to love. Kayla searches people out and brings them into her family. She is persistent in finding the lost and in pursuing her friends. Because Kayla partners with fellow believers, the Kingdom is advanced, and ripples are made throughout the community. Kayla will complete the work she has been given to do. She is a finisher. Kayla proclaims the Word at home and away from home. She is obedient in staying and obedient in going. She is set apart. She worships, prays and fasts passionately. She hears the voice of the Holy Spirit. She is a prophet and a teacher. She is OK with others being exalted above her. She walks in true humility and is for the good of others. Her ultimate goal is not self-exaltation, but for God to be glorified and the Kingdom to be advanced. Kayla supports others and lifts them up. She does not mind when people below her and lifted above her. Kayla is bold. She stands firm under persecution. She is full of joy and the Holy Spirit. She knows who she is. She knows that God is the One who performs miracles. She does not get caught up in herself or think of herself higher than she should. She always points back to God. Kayla stands by people even if they are thought to be too far gone. She is a wingman to her fellow believers. She carries the Gospel everywhere she goes. She strengthens and encourages people in the Lord. People are built up when they are around her. She is realistic and lets people know that they will suffer much for following Jesus. She walks humbly under authority and submits to God. She seeks the Lord about decisions with prayer and fasting. She is a carrier of the power and presence of God. Signs and wonders follow her, and she relays them to many. People are captivated by her stories. She is loved by the people she visits and ministers to. She is not always going. She also stays at home and teaches there. She does not neglect her home in favor of her mission. Kayla gives people second chances. She does not give up on people. She always sees the best in people, even when wisdom or logic would say to give up. She chooses love over wisdom or caution. She does not care if she is hurt or rejected. She does not constantly worry about hurting others. She is compassionate and binds up the brokenhearted. She accepts the rejected. She extends grace when no one else will. She is a friend, a lover and an encourager. She loves others well. She stands by people even when everyone else walks away. She defends people’s character. She never stops loving, no matter the cost or pain. Kayla is loyal for life.
Jesus, awaken our hearts to love this way and to love like You love. Lord, impart this anointing to all of us who proclaim Your Name that we may back up Your Gospel with our love. May we be Your hands, feet, arms and eyes to a hurting world. Lord, use us to bind up broken hearts. Use us to love the unloved and accept the unaccepted. Use us to model Your heart to this world that needs You. Lord, heal our wounds and forgive our sin that we may offer our whole hearts back to You and to Your children. Jesus, make us like You in love.
