I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)
A popular conversation around spirituality, as well as the growing maturity that comes with passing years, is centered around this idea of “calling”. Humanity genuinely wishes to know their place; where they belong. Oftentimes the question of calling is centered around some large idea. This macro-calling is a result of our hopes, dreams, and fears. Yet, when we look at the Bible, we see something much different. There is a rich beauty in the small and simple things of this life. Our spirituality is ruled by the seemingly insignificant.
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love . . .
These are what we are called too. On the surface, they seem like small character traits, but for anyone who has attempted to live with these anchoring traits will tell you, they are anything but easy. God cares more about the small characteristics of your soul than the greatness you long to achieve. Humility, gentleness, patience, and love are the keys that unlock these greater things within our calling. We will never achieve – and at the least, never maintain – the great calling we wish for if we do not first master these traits. It is the loudest and most maverick personality that fails to be rooted in these. They, like sin, are doomed to fall. These are the things that unite us with our savior and that our savior uses to unite us with His bride. And we can never do this on our own. We need His power within us to live a gentle faith in a hostile world. May we pray for such strength.
Matt simon blog 