being set apart for the work

"set apart for Me barnabas and saul for the work to which I have called them."

in this passage, there was a specific work that barnabas and saul were called to do, and they were faithful to that work.  have we ever thought of our lives in that way--that there is a specific work that we have been called to do by God, that only we can do?  although we may not be aware of it, we have been peculiarly and especially equipped by God to accomplish this work.

the work itself may be quite ordinary.  it may be to do our job well and with integrity; it may be to care for a child and raise a family--the specific task is hardly important in itself.  but God has fashioned us exactly as He would have us and given us everything we need in terms of character and strength to do "the work to which He has called us".  only you can do that particular thing--raise that particular child, do that particular job. others may have more ability and talent, and we may lack many things, but we need never doubt the outcome, if "He has called us and set us apart".  the work cannot fail, even despite our failings.

may we learn from the example of barnabas and saul who continually worshipped the Lord and fasted, putting themselves in the right frame of mind to receive and understand rightly the Holy Spirit's "calling". and may we be faithful, even as they were, to the specific calling every one of us has received in this life.  the Lord is faithful and He will do it.