Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. - Ephesians 4:1

When it was time for me to leave high school and go to college, the “vocational” teacher interviewed me to see if I had any idea of what I wanted to do with my life. “What vocation do you have in mind?” she asked me sternly. I went to a school that expected its graduates to pursue a vocation—no, not vacation—vocation! The idea of simply leaving to “get a job” was unthinkable.

Since the vocational opportunities for girls in my day were somewhat limited to the teaching and nursing fields, I hastily said “teaching,” though to be honest, the thought had never occurred to me till then! I had been taught that those privileged with higher knowledge are called to higher vocations! Certain behavior was expected of us—a worthy walk anticipated. I was left with no doubt that I had an obligation to live in a manner that would not besmirch the name of my school.

It is even more important for Christians who have “learned” Christ to live in a manner that does not besmirch the name of their Savior. This manner of living is described as a “walk.” It’s not a leap of faith, not one giant stride, but to quote my husband, “One simple, practical step after another. Certainly, as in ordinary walks, some steps will be greater than others, a few will be harder than others, and some will lead to higher ground than others, but the spiritual life is a walk.”

Are we living a life worthy of our calling in Christ?

For Further Study: Ephesians 4:1-10

Excerpted from The One Year Devotions for Women, Copyright ©2000 by Jill Briscoe. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

For more from Jill Briscoe, please visit TellingtheTruth.org.

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