God wants us to
‘live a life worthy of
the calling we have received’
Ephesians 4 verse 1
In this short verse we are encouraged to stop, and consider our lives, and to know that this life we have is valuable and it is precious, and because of this it should motivate us to live accordingly. Not living as if we don’t matter, but living passionately and purposefully because we do matter.
We matter to God and we have a place in His plans for this earth, and for the people and communities around us. We are not just randomly dropped here, we have a place here, and what we need to do is find it, take hold of it and then run with it, like we’ve never run before.
We need to grasp the amazing understanding that when we were conceived, even before we were conceived, God knew who we were. It was Him who made us, it wasn’t the decision of our parents, but it was His choice (John1:13). You are chosen, and because you are chosen, there are promises and provisions that come with that.
We are fearfully, carefully, and wonderfully made. We are not an accident, there was intention in Gods making of us, and in doing so God placed within our hearts a destiny, a purpose, and a calling (psalm 139:13 &16). There is a reason we are alive, there is something that God wants to achieve in us and through us, for ‘we are God’s workmanship… and He has prepared good works in advance for us to complete.’ (Eph 2:10)
‘Do not be conformed to this world (and its ways), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may know and prove what is the perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2). ‘Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.’ (Eph 5:17).
The Apostle Paul encourages us by saying ‘Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me! ( Eph 3:12).
Paul knows that he is on a journey, and he is motivated that the best life lies ahead, the life God desires for us is ahead. The ‘that’ is our worthy calling, which is why Jesus rescued us from our own ways, and why he made provision for our redemption and rescue, because He knows the value of the calling on our lives, and we were worth the sacrifice that He made for us.
Paul also goes on to say ‘I know I’ve not fully understood, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press towards the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus’. Our lives are valuable by how God values things, not by how the world values things.
So, this is why we are encouraged to live a life worthy of the calling God has given to us.
Don’t live for yourself, but live for what God has made you to live for. If you don’t know what this is yet, then ask, ask people who are close to you, ask God, journey with Him, and He will make it clear to you, and when you find ‘that thing’, you will know what it is, and then all things will make sense.
We are called disciples, not consumers, we are participants, not observers. Jesus wants to draw the best out of us, not pick on us for getting things wrong. Lean into the Lord, build up your relationship with Him, and He will release the fulness of the potential that is built within you.
Are you willing to make the journey?
Let’s go.
You life is valuable, you are valuable, there is a point and purpose to your life,
which is why God challenges us to ‘Live a life worthy of the calling!’