August 14, 2012

 

“Worthy Callings”

Scripture:

Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:1-2) NLT

Observation:

As Christians, we have been called by God to live our lives that not only bring honor to God, but to our calling as well—ways that bring glory to God—the glory and goodness that He has called us to receive (2Peter 1:3). And because the Lord has chosen His Church to be the beacon of light in this lost world covered in darkness, we must be transformed into the likeness of the Son of God—the true and everlasting “Light of the World” (John 8:12), if we are to fulfill our special calling from God. But because of our sinful, self-centered nature, a Christ-like transformation must take place; a process that cannot be accomplished on our own or without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Application:

We must have this transforming power of God working in us and for us (24/7), if we are to become a new creation…a new and holy person in Christ Jesus our Lord (2 Corinthians 5:17). Most of us who come into Gods Light and calling come lacking both humility and patience because this world is all about self-reliance and quicker is better, which in many cases ends up in failure and fear, which leads us even further away from the love, and the knowledge, and the protection of the Father, our Sovereign Creator. Without God’s help and direction we inevitably begin drifting dangerously closer to the decadence that ends in deeper darkness and death; the fate of all those who stubbornly follow the senseless paths that this lost world sets before us. Only when we are driven by the love of God do we humble ourselves before the Lord, allowing Him to soften our hardened hearts, so we can learn to be gentle rather than harsh, to be more understanding instead of condemning, and a willingness to love and help others in spite of our own circumstances. None of us are perfect and we all share many of the same weaknesses, but when we live for God and His calling, He will give us exactly what is needed, at the very moment it is needed, in order to fulfill His purposes through us (Psalm 37:5). We must step out in faith and trust that God is who He says He is and that He does what He says He will do. You can fully trust in our Infinite God, dear friends, and when you do He will transform your self-centered life in ways that will be worthy of this crucial life or death calling; a calling this condemned world so desperately needs!

Prayer:

Install in me, O LORD, the abilities to carry out Your calling for me. And not just me, dear Lord, but for Your Holy Church that is spreading throughout this fallen world. Help us unite in ways that are worthy of Your Calling.

Amen