That Someone Special

“Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”


Acts 13:2



There is no question that God had a very special work in mind for Barnabas and Saul (known as the apostle Paul). We read about it in the book of Acts and in all the letters Paul wrote. Have you given much thought to the special work the Holy Spirit has for you? Most Christians know and believe God has given them a spiritual gift so that we can serve one another and the world around us but many have no clue what their particular gift is or where they are to put it to use it.

As I was studying Acts 13 I wondered what was the special work that the Holy Spirit was appointing Paul and Barnabas to accomplish? I spent all last week scouring the pages of my bible in search of it and all the while asking the Lord to show me what was that “special work” He has called me to do. As I prayed and studied the answer became perfectly clear and so encouraging to me, I had to share it with you.

Last Sunday I asked my church if they could recall the person or persons who shared Jesus with them and who were instrumental in helping them come to know Jesus and receive Him as Savior and Lord. I then asked if that person was “special” to them and most smiled and shook their heads in agreement. A few even came up between services and shared more of their personal stories. The word “special” came up a lot. The connection I knew the Lord wanted me to make is that the “special work” that God has for each of us is “people”. People are special to God. “For God so loved the world (people) He gave His Son...” The ministry is and will always be about people, special people.

As you study the book of Acts you will find that the gospel was indeed carried forth by special people, men and women chosen of God to share with special people, people with whom Jesus was drawing to Himself. I believe in the election of God just as much as I believe in the free will of man to respond to being chosen. My point is this, if you responded to the gospel and you are Born Again, that makes you special. Just ask King David how it feels when you come to understand just how special you are to God. Psalm 139:5-6 captures the moment for us, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand.”

Continuing on in the very next verse David says, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” (Psalm 139:7-18).

There is no question David was special to God, but so are you! Read 1 Peter 2:9 for yourself, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” There you have it. You are God’s own special people saved for a very special work just like Barnabas and Paul. I’m sure you can make the connection here. Jesus saved you and that makes you very special to Him and each and every time you share His love with people in word or in deed you are involved in the very special work of God. And to top it all off each time someone comes to Jesus they come to know how special to God they are too. And just like King David who one day looked back over his life and remembered his best friend Jonathan for the kindness he had shown him, the people you share Jesus with will appreciate it and thank God for sending along someone special. And that someone special is you!  


“After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.”


1 Thessalonians 2:19–20


I LOVE YOU!


Michael Osthimer

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