Walking Worthy of Our Calling: A Journey of Hope and Faith

Ever have one of those weeks where the world just feels heavy?
You scroll through the news or talk with a friend, and it seems like anger, division, and despair are everywhere.
In moments like that, it’s easy to wonder—how do I keep following Jesus faithfully in a world like this?

That question is at the heart of this week’s message.
It’s about learning to walk worthy of our calling—not perfectly, but purposefully.
And along the way, we’ll discover three key truths that can shape our journey:
being a prisoner for Christ, walking in faith, and embracing hope.

The phrase “prisoner for Christ” might sound unusual, but it’s full of meaning.
Think of Paul who wrote Ephesians 4:1-6, once a man of privilege and power willingly surrendered everything for Jesus.
His transformation from persecutor to prisoner shows the life-changing power of encountering Christ.

But what does it mean for us today?

To be a “prisoner for Christ” means surrender—laying down our own desires, ambitions, and comfort for the sake of following Jesus.
It means being willing to face opposition, misunderstanding, or even suffering for our faith.

When we embrace this mindset, we begin to see life through a new lens—
not as a list of limitations, but as opportunities to glorify God.

Faith isn’t still—it moves.
From Abraham leaving his homeland, to Moses leading God’s people, to Jesus calling, “Come, follow me,” the story of Scripture is a story of movement.

Ephesians 4:2-3 gives us a beautiful picture of what this walk looks like:

“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.”

In a culture that prizes aggression and self-promotion,
Christ calls us to humility, gentleness, patience, and unity.

This is the way of Jesus.
Even when facing injustice and crucifixion, He chose humility and love—not weakness, but strength under control.
When we walk in His footsteps, we show the world a better way—a walk marked by
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Hope ties it all together.

Not the flimsy, wishful kind of hope,
but the solid, unshakeable hope rooted in the promises of God.
This hope gives us courage in hardship and strength to keep walking when the path gets hard.

Hope doesn’t deny suffering—it transforms it.
It reminds us that our present struggles aren’t the end of the story.
Just as Christ rose victorious over death, we too will share in His glory.

Consider Aphra, a woman living in a country where sharing her faith could cost her everything.
Each morning, she prays for peace.
If she feels God’s prompting, she goes out—quietly serving, showing kindness, and sharing the gospel.

Even as persecution increases, Aphra and her friends keep walking in faith.
They trust God’s protection and continue their mission.
And through their courage, many have come to know Christ.

Aphra’s story challenges us:
How often do fear, comfort, or social pressure hold us back?
What might it look like for us to walk with that same hope-filled boldness?

God’s kingdom advances not just through grand gestures,
but through ordinary acts of faithfulness—
a kind word, a helping hand, a quiet prayer, a conversation about Jesus.

So let’s ask ourselves:

• Will we embrace our identity as prisoners for Christ?
• Will we walk in humility, gentleness, and love?
• Will we hold fast to our hope in Christ, no matter what comes?

The world is hungry for real faith—for authentic love and hope that doesn’t fade.
We’ve been given that hope in Jesus.
Now, we’re called to live it out.

Let’s wake each morning, like Aphra, and pray:
“Lord, guide my steps today.”

Then let’s walk in faith—ready to love, ready to serve, ready to share.
When we do, our lives become a living testimony of the hope we have in Christ.

“Let us then walk worthy of our calling.” — Ephesians 4:1

This post is inspired by the message “One Hope” from guest speaker Jon Opgenorth,
President of Words of Hope.

Watch the full sermon to dive deeper into what it means to walk worthy of your calling
and to hold fast to the hope we have in Christ.