WALK WORTHY

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God... (Rom 8:18-19)

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. (Eph 4:1)

We need to resolutely press forward into our callings in Christ. Amen? The Apostle Paul made this plea not from some cushy, climate-controlled location, nor from an idealistic theological think-tank, but from a place of severe limitation – prison. However, he decisively states he's a prisoner of the Lord. Why? Because God knows it, He's allowed it, and He's using it. Hard to believe, yet more than if Paul were walking free!

Likewise, every servant of God is restrained somehow and will be restrained on some level - unwillingly subjected to the confines, limitations, and futilities of this creation. Our present sufferings are for the revealing of His glory in us, and the revealing of sons of God out of us!

These perfect crushings will bring forth His best wine. Read Romans 8:18-21... preferably finish off the chapter.

Imagine if Paul fully functioned unhindered in his gifts and calling. What a sight to see! We'd certainly step aside to watch him do his thing, for who could compare? Not me! This is exactly what Paul is pleading against. Don't step aside from your calling and become a spectator for any reason. Step up and walk worthy. So little time and so much to do; the harvest is plenteous and the laborers are few. So, Paul cheers, he counsels, he coerces us to fulfill our sorely needed callings and vocations.

Despite what we might have thought, Paul couldn't do it all, and being imprisoned made it glaringly evident. As he wrote in 2 Cor 4:12, So then death is working in us, but life in you. There is unique Life for each one of us to walk in to do our distinctive part in His Kingdom. The Spirit Filled Life Bible defines "worthy" as "of sufficient weight" - a quality issuing from acknowledging what Christ has poured into us, rather than whatever worth is felt or unfelt in oneself. Are we taking up what lacks in the Kingdom by putting our hands to the task? Or are we perpetuators, creating slack by lagging back in "felt" unworthiness?

Here's a simple comparison from my early years of homemaking: When I crossed paths with accomplished cooks, I would think, "How can I keep making my basic meals next to theirs?!" But, what if I had laid down my spatula and put away my pots and pans? My family and others would go hungry if I didn't fulfill my calling, my responsibility to cook. It even sounds ridiculous. Maybe I couldn't make a gourmet meal every night (or any night), but they would be well fed. I could be discouraged, intimidated, and shut down, or choose to be challenged, hopeful, and maybe take a few pointers! And as I was faithful to keep cooking through trial and error, I did become more proficient.

We find it hard to step out spiritually with so many more-gifted people in the Body. We don't want to waste others' time or space or oxygen by speaking up ourselves. How can it possibly make a difference? Felt unworthiness can paralyze us. Do we give in to misgivings or step out trusting we carry an intricate part that's ours to give? (SS 6:8-9). Consider the feeding of the five thousand - the squeeze of our felt limitations can be the very thing, when offered, that the Lord blesses and multiplies revealing His glory and miracle.

Therefore, in the midst of Paul's restraint, he begs without restraint: Move out into your callings now. Walk worthy of what Christ has poured in. He gives His best; let it flow out.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)

  - Elese