How Is Your Walk?

Several years ago, I was having breakfast with the president of a company I had partnered with. We were discussing a challenging engagement with one of their sales VPs when he suddenly stopped, picked up his phone, and called the SVP of Sales and asked her to join us.

When she arrived, he got straight to the point: "I asked you to join us because we have a problem. One of our team members is exhibiting behavior that doesn't align with our values and culture, and we need to address it."

I was not expecting a response that quickly, but I was thankful for it, and it resolved our issue.

I think about that breakfast every so often, and when I do, my mind is brought to Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus. In the letter Paul writes, "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called."

Much like my friend who had set a high standard for his team, Paul is telling us that we, as Christians, have a standard that we must meet because we have been called to it.

What Does a Worthy Walk Look Like?

Thankfully, Paul doesn't leave us guessing about what a worthy walk looks like.

In the verses that follow, he lays it out: "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

When I read this list: humility - gentleness - patience - bearing or enduring in love, and unity. I can't help but notice that these characteristics seem to be in short supply in our world today.

Yet, these are hallmarks of a worthy walk that aligns with our calling.

Our walk should be different, not because we're better, but because we've been called and that calling has produced change.

Every Aspect of Our Lives

This calling or invitation that Paul mentions is not something that is a part-time endeavor. We do not get to pick and choose the times when we will walk worthily; we must do so in every aspect of our lives.

In our work. Paul tells the Colossians, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Is your work ethic, your integrity, and your treatment worthy of the calling?

In our marriages and families. Paul commands the following in Ephesians: "husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Does your marriage look different because of Christ? Do your children see Jesus in your marriage and how you parent them?

In our speech. Paul, again in Ephesians, says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs." Is our speech worthy? What comes out of your mouth when you're frustrated, when you're angry, when no one's watching?

In our finances. Luke records the words of Jesus who said, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." Does your spending, your giving, your stewardship reflect kingdom values or cultural ones?

There is simply no area of our lives where we should not be walking in an unworthy manner.

The Motivation for a Worthy Walk

No matter what we do, there is no way for us to earn God's love; He already loves us despite our sinful ways. We see this clearly in Romans, where Paul writes, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Thankfully, His love isn't conditional on our performance. Our worthy walk is in response to this love, not as a way to try and earn it.

Because we've been shown mercy, we show mercy.

Because we've been forgiven, we forgive.

Because we've been loved unconditionally, we love others sacrificially.

Because we have been called/invited by the One, we respond in a way that will demonstrate we are one of His, even if it is in stark contrast to the world around us.

John says it perfectly in his first epistle when he writes: "We love because he first loved us."

Our worthy walk is a response from a thankful heart, not an obligation.

The Big Question

So here's my question for all of us:

How are we walking?

If someone followed you around for a week, would they see a walk that was worthy of the faith that you claim?

Would your coworkers know you're a follower of Jesus by how you treat them? Would your spouse see Christ's love in your actions? Would your children see the fruit of the Spirit in your daily life?

I'm not asking if you're perfect; none of us are. I'm asking if you (and me) are walking in a manner worthy of the calling. If the grace you've received is shaping how you live.

If our lives look no different, we need to work on our walk and be sure it is worthy of what our great God and Savior has called us to. May that day be today!

Running the race with you,

Carlos

This edition was first published in The Life Design Newsletter on LinkedIn.