Daily Devotionals
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 (Paula)
Our Monday night group has been studying the book of Ephesians for the last several weeks. We’ve been hearing Paul’s teaching of the gift of the gospel as well as his encouragement “to live a life worthy of the call that you have received.” (Eph 4:1)
I am reminded of a funny story I read online:
A guy was being tailgated by a stressed-out, angry woman on a busy street.
Suddenly, the light turned yellow just in front of him. He did the right thing. He stopped at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating woman behind him hit the roof and hit the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to go through the intersection behind him.
As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer.
The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station. She was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and actually placed in a cell.
After a couple of hours, another policeman approached the cell and opened the door. The woman was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting for her with her personal effects.
"Lady, I'm very sorry for this mistake,” he said. “I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.
“Then I noticed the ‘Choose Life’ license plate holder, the ‘What would Jesus do?’ bumper sticker, the ‘Follow me to Sunday school’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk.
“Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car."
This story is likely fictitious, but it is relatable in one way or another.
That confession makes me cringe 
but it’s honest. We don’t always walk worthy.
It doesn’t help to have Jesus on my bumper sticker if I’m driving like the devil! It doesn’t help to have Jesus stuck on my trunk if He’s not behind the wheel.
The gospel we seek to declare is first demonstrated in what we display. We are constantly witnessing, in all of life. Our deeds (good and bad) validate our words… at all times and in all places. (That includes Hiway 65, Paula!)
It also includes how we show up at work, how we speak to our children + husbands, how we conduct ourselves at a kid’s sporting event, or while we are selling something on FB marketplace!
The apostle Paul makes his point over and over to believers…
Phillipians
“Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27)
1 Thessalonians
"Walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." (2:12)
Walking the Christian walk can not be orientated in our accessories… bumper stickers, hats, sweatshirts, signs, and jewelry. There is nothing wrong with these items, as they can be quality reminders to ourselves and others about remembering who we are and the family name we bear as Christians. But our ORIENTATION in living a life worthy of our calling is not in accessories but a foundation built on Christ. It’s always a call back to our identity - that we are adopted children of God - who have received an overwhelming and undeserved gift of spiritual inheritance. We are to imitate our Father. We were created for good works that glorify God.
I’m definitely learning and leaning on Christ as I pursue to live more rooted and grounded in my identity. One day at a time. It’s humbling and challenging but it’s also fruitful!
Let’s spur each other on! I’m praying for myself and each of you sisters reading this - that we may walk worthy today!
Better Together,
Paula
I am reminded of a funny story I read online:
A guy was being tailgated by a stressed-out, angry woman on a busy street.
Suddenly, the light turned yellow just in front of him. He did the right thing. He stopped at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating woman behind him hit the roof and hit the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to go through the intersection behind him.
As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer.
The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station. She was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and actually placed in a cell.
After a couple of hours, another policeman approached the cell and opened the door. The woman was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting for her with her personal effects.
"Lady, I'm very sorry for this mistake,” he said. “I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.
“Then I noticed the ‘Choose Life’ license plate holder, the ‘What would Jesus do?’ bumper sticker, the ‘Follow me to Sunday school’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk.
“Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car."
This story is likely fictitious, but it is relatable in one way or another.
That confession makes me cringe but it’s honest. We don’t always walk worthy.It doesn’t help to have Jesus on my bumper sticker if I’m driving like the devil! It doesn’t help to have Jesus stuck on my trunk if He’s not behind the wheel.
The gospel we seek to declare is first demonstrated in what we display. We are constantly witnessing, in all of life. Our deeds (good and bad) validate our words… at all times and in all places. (That includes Hiway 65, Paula!)
It also includes how we show up at work, how we speak to our children + husbands, how we conduct ourselves at a kid’s sporting event, or while we are selling something on FB marketplace!
The apostle Paul makes his point over and over to believers…
Phillipians
“Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27)
1 Thessalonians
"Walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." (2:12)
Walking the Christian walk can not be orientated in our accessories… bumper stickers, hats, sweatshirts, signs, and jewelry. There is nothing wrong with these items, as they can be quality reminders to ourselves and others about remembering who we are and the family name we bear as Christians. But our ORIENTATION in living a life worthy of our calling is not in accessories but a foundation built on Christ. It’s always a call back to our identity - that we are adopted children of God - who have received an overwhelming and undeserved gift of spiritual inheritance. We are to imitate our Father. We were created for good works that glorify God.
I’m definitely learning and leaning on Christ as I pursue to live more rooted and grounded in my identity. One day at a time. It’s humbling and challenging but it’s also fruitful!
Let’s spur each other on! I’m praying for myself and each of you sisters reading this - that we may walk worthy today!
Better Together,
Paula
