Live As You Are Called
“17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)
22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.
23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.
24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.” – 1 Corinthians 7
These verses have given me so much to think about, so I couldn’t resist sharing some things to ponder.
- Live the life you have, not the one you wish you had.
In the verses before this section, Paul uses marriage as a practical example of contentment. He says “Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.” 1 Corinthians 7:27
Although we can pray for change and even work towards change – provided we’re seeking God’s will – (see above at vs. 21), to pine for a life we don’t have while ignoring the one we do is not the way to go about it. God will not give you more blessings if you keep squandering the blessings you’ve already been given.
2. Live the life you have, not the one you are afraid of having.
It’s easy for me to get so focused on the great what ifs of the future. Worry is a constant battle for me. But God commands us not to worry, and promises to provide all we’ll need. We just have to seek after Him.
Although this wasn’t what the passage was directly referring to, it reminds me to live the life I have been given now, and not to live in the future, fearing a life I may never have to live.
It reminds me that what if’s don’t matter because they are irrelevant to the what is. What if’s make us ungrateful and frustrated, or fearful. Working on the what is is a way of being good stewards of what we have, and this cultivates a heart of gratitude, not regret.
3. Live the life God has called you to; a life that seeks to serve Christ.
These verses talk about us being slaves to Christ (vs.22 & 23). In Ephesians 4:1 it says to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called.
Our life is to be a reflection of our Savior, a dedication of obedience to our Lord. That can be difficult, but God promises to provide us with all we need to live as He has called us to.
So enjoy today,
embrace your calling,
and live a life that’s faithful to God.
© Grace Baeten 2021
The Misplaced Mom 
Leave a comment