First Steps

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 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. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. (Ephesians 4:1-7 ESV). First steps are incredible to witness. Each of my sons walked at a different age, though all of them once they started were everywhere! I saw Faith and Logan begin to take their first steps. Though fraternal twins, they also walked at a different age. Their development caught up soon, but they started at separate times to really walk with confidence. Now, David and Becca are keeping us informed with video and stills of Maggie’s progress. She is very close to launching out and walking at 8 months! It is definitely an exciting time! As is true with everyone when they begin to walk, falling is a normal part of learning. Sometimes you fall so often on the same place that the bruises never really heal. They almost appear to be a permanent addition to our physical appearance. Walking spiritually can be like that, especially when you take your first steps as a new believer. You stumble and fall. You get up again. You stumble and fall. It is all part of growing spiritually. In our reading today, we are encouraged to walk forward spiritually. Walking speaks of effort, of having direction with a destination in mind. And the first thing we are told is "to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called." Even though I have just finished preaching through the Ephesian letter, I am drawn back to various passages often. This is one of those times. The word "worthy" used in this passage could be translated, "balance the scales." This means that what is on one side of the scale should be equal in weight to what is on the other side. This word could be applied to anything that was expected to correspond to something else. Paul was saying there needs to be a balance between our belief and our practice. In other words, our doctrine and belief should affect us in the way we live. We need the balance of having both these areas working together in our lives. That is what it means to walk worthy of the calling into which we were called. While our first steps might be shaky and unsure, we gain strength by walking. Our “balance” comes more and more easily. AS you take steps in your Christian life, expect some shaky moments; and, expect to gain strength through the doing of the work.