December 6 "Called to Walk with Lowliness" Ephesians 4, 5

These people are walking as they are called and it's a beautiful thing.

 

We all live with ourselves. In any given day, we see things we wish were not there. And how do we change that overnight? We bear up. We push in. We lean hard. On His Power. "I beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph 4:1. We are called people. Called to love and live and suffer and give and die.

"Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory. By lowliness, understand humility, which is opposed to pride. By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul, which makes men unwilling to provoke, and not easily to be provoked or offended." Matthew Henry. As a teacher, I wrestle with not being provoked and I know the days, the moments when I'm leaning on God's Power.  It is hard to forgive ourselves for the moments mount and the stories swirl in our minds without an invitation.  I'm transported back decades, sometimes, to an unkind debase place.  And how much harder to forgive others.  Transported again, back to hurts and hassles.  But, this Christ has stepped into this walk of ours. And every single day---this day---He is inviting us to walk in this calling of ours. Keeping the bond of peace. And what if those I love want no part of any unity in which I sit. What would it look like for me to respond in all lowliness and humility to those? Then, do it.

In Ephesians, the last few chapters (Eph 1-3) are chocked-full of theology referring to our Christian privileges. This chapter. Here speaks our Christian duties. Oh, the sincerity and gravity. Whatever Christ brings to mind---it is He Who is working this humility in us. 

 And I'm sure, a word will slip out of my mouth in the next hour that doesn't look like love. I'll be honest. Not expectant of it. Just a realist.  I am going to be provoked or offended in this current lot. My Christ is begging me through Paul. Walk worthy of this calling with all lowliness and humility and patience, bearing with one another in love!

COME BOLDLY:  Timeless Prayers
Dear Father, I wrestle through my days with being provoked, being offended.  Sometimes I can look really good on the outside.  Holding it in.  But is that true grace?  Change us all.  Make us holy humble people who love from a calling Voice.  May we hear you today as you make us all a little more humble than we were yesterday.

PHOTO: