A Life Worthy

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Ephesians 4:1).

I like this verse. I like it so much I kinda sorta named my blog after it.  

Paul serves as our example here—he is living his calling, even though it landed him in prison. He urges us, down through the long ages, to do the same.

But hey, wait–what is your call?  What is the purpose of your life and mine?

Let’s keep it simple; after all, it’s only Tuesday.  

Your call, beloved of God, is to bring him glory.  

Great…how do you do that?  Well, the context of the verse says that you do that by keeping the peace.  At the cross, God brought the chance for peace between Man and Man as well as between Man and God (Eph. 2:14-18).  Our job is to live in such a way as to help maintain that unity and that peace.

Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9).

May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:23).

Think about the people you are likely to see and deal with today. How can you glorify God by being, “completely humble and gentle…patient, bearing with one another in love”(Eph 4:2)?

Yeah, I know it isn’t easy.

And you know what?

They’re probably thinking the same thing about you.

But it is your calling.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen (Eph. 3:20-21).

Sometimes this world seems so

chaotic

unstable

random

that I forget that the most important things, the God things, are

forever

and ever

and ever

and ever

and ever

and ever

and ever

and ever.

You know what I mean?

Happy Friday, Beloved.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church … (Eph. 3:20-21).

Glorifying God in the Church…what a novel concept.

Sorry, I don’t mean to be sarcastic–well, I do, but I shouldn’t.

The Church glorifies God when we lift each other up, when we hold each other accountable, when we encourage and teach and carry burdens and generally draw each other closer to the One who has called us all. The world looks at that and thinks, “Whew, they’re a bunch of messed up people, but look at how they love each other! There must be something to this Jesus thing…”

And glory be to God.

The problem, of course, is that too often we approach the Church the way we approach life–we’re here to get, not to give. When we don’t get what we think we are entitled to, it can all get pretty messy. Then the world looks at us and thinks, “Huh, why do I need that? They act just like the folks in my office.”

And the world goes on as before.

Beloved, what version of the Church will we be today? What will we show the world?

Because they are watching.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine…(Eph. 3:20).

I have quite an imagination.  

So do you.

I mean, we can be pretty creative, ya? But we serve a God who can do “immeasurably more” than we can even think of asking for. Once again, Paul reminds us that God is far too big for us to wrap our brains around. And still I keep trying. That sound you hear? That is my brain exploding.

Happy Monday, Beloved

…and to know this love that surpasses knowledge…(Ephesians 3:19).

Paul isn’t finished praying yet.

Fine by me.

So, how do you know that which is, by its very nature, unknowable?

You don’t…yet.

But you and I get to spend the rest of forever knowing more, which will cause us to grow more, which will enable us to know more, which will cause us to know more, which will enable us to grow more…

Until always

Further up and further in, Beloved!

Happy Thursday