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

The way the Japanese phrases this points out something a lot of Christians miss, to their great loss. The Japanese says, “You who have been called.” Far too many Christians believe that “calling” is just for “full-time Christian workers” of one sort or another. Paul was called to be an apostle, as he said repeatedly, but he considered that every one of his readers was just as much called as he was. Callings are individual, and as such are supposed to be different. However, if you don’t think you have been called, the exhortation to “live worthy of the calling you have received” becomes meaningless. At the very least, every believer is called to be a witness! (Acts 1:8) We are likewise called to make disciples and teach those disciples what Jesus taught. (Matthew 28:18-20) The average “person in the pew” thinks those are all the work of “5-Fold Ministry” people, (Ephesians 4:11) but immediately after those ministry gifts are listed, it says that such people are to “prepare God’s people for works of service.” In other words, my job as a pastor is to equip people to walk worthy of the various callings they have received. It is not to do everything for them!

This past Sunday was a very good step in that direction, with Cathy and me completely out of town. Reports are that it was a marvelous service! I need to help people experience how good it feels to do what God created them to do, which includes serving in the Body of Christ. That doesn’t mean lecturing them, but rather coming alongside them and walking them through things. I’ve not been very good at that, tending to feel and act like a “truth dump” was all they needed. Very few people respond well to that! I need God’s wisdom for one-on-one discipling, so that each of the believers may recognize the callings they have received and rejoice to move forward in them.

Father, I feel like you want me to speak on this Sunday, but that will be another “truth dump.” Help me follow through with each individual as You direct, so that they will recognize all that You have done for them and intend for them and rejoice to walk in it, for the blessing of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!