You ARE Special

You ARE Special

2 Corinthians 11: ⁵ I do not think that I am the least bit inferior to those very special so-called “apostles” of yours! ⁶ Perhaps I am an amateur in speaking, but certainly not in knowledge; we have made this clear to you at all times and in all conditions.

 

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Feeling inadequate had become the norm. I was ridiculed for every aspect of my being. From the clothes I wore, to my hair, to the size of my body to the color of my skin, someone had something negative to say. On the other hand, special people who crowds flocked to seemed to have it easy.

 

• I did not feel special.
• I felt quite unwanted.
• I doubted I could do or say anything right.

 

Paul focuses in on a mistake the people made when they accepted professional speakers who called themselves “apostles” but were preaching a different spirit. They may have drawn more attention to themselves versus JESUS. These people were eloquent speakers while Paul, on the other hand, had a direct encounter with JESUS. He was called to teach about JESUS.

 

My Observations

• JESUS is the only one who is worthy to be pointed to.
• GOD made me special to reach only a certain group of people HE sends me to or sent to me.
• GOD wants me to get out of HIS way by placing HIM in the spotlight.

 

Being special and feeling special seem like two very different things. I mean the world would say a common worker or a person without a home is not special. In fact, these people are often overlooked and even worse, looked down on. But they are special to GOD.

 

GOD sees those who devalue your abilities and tears down any tactic people make to attempt to make themselves “special” in human’s eyes. GOD made you and me special for HIS purpose. HE adores when HIS name is mentioned over our own. HE was excited when HE made each person and gave each a special gift. I am glad HE loves when I use the gifts HE gave me for HIS purpose.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer saying about inferiority?
• What gifts has GOD given you?
• Have you ever felt inferior or inadequate?
• Will you accept JESUS’ power and grace as being sufficient so you can fulfill the special purpose HE has for you today?

I know what I know

Job 19: ²⁵ I know that my redeemer lives,
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

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I used to marvel at eloquent speakers. It seemed like words would flow from their lips so smoothly that any audience would be mesmerized. As I stood in front of my first audience in a speech class I could feel the audience slip away. What was in my mind wasn’t coming out of my mouth, well not as I wanted it to.

When I was challenged by a pastor to go out and tell people about CHRIST, I said “I don’t know the Bible and I am not a good speaker.” He said “What’s that got to do with it?”

• Sometimes I think I have to be someone else in order to be used by GOD.
• Sometimes I think I have to know it all and be polished in order to be used by GOD.
• Sometimes I think I have to do something very different in order to please GOD.

Quite honestly I think GOD is crazy. I mean HE couldn’t have meant to create the person I am. HE couldn’t have meant for me to have gone through life the way I did. HE couldn’t have meant for me to make mistakes on a minute by minute basis, right? Well…

• GOD made me for HIS purpose and it’s up to me to realize what that purpose is.
• GOD made me and said “Beautiful and wonderful” and it’s up to me to accept HIS glorious creativity in my person.
• GOD made me and knows my circumstances, situations and desires so it’s up to me to grab ahold of HIS ways and follow HIM until the end.

I’m not saying I am going to give up seeking GODLY perfection rather I will lighten up on myself which in turn may help me lighten up on others. I will now go out and teach about CHRIST without thinking I have to be perfect or have the right words all the time. In fact GOD said “I will give you the right words at the right time.” I may not know much, but I know what I know and GOD is pleased with it.

• Do you feel inadequate when it comes to your relationship with GOD?
• Are you focused on what someone else is doing rather than thanking HIM for HIS relationship with you?
• Can you praise HIM for making you the way HE made you?
• Will you ask HIM to share HIS purpose for you today?