Knowing Your Identity in Christ: I am Called (Ephesians 4:1)

What is your God-given calling?

On this episode of 7 Minute Devotions for Busy Parents, host Christen Clark dives into the heart of Christian parenting by unpacking what it truly means to be "called"—not just for specific roles or ministry, but as our core identity in Christ. Get ready for practical inspiration on integrating faith at home, raising Christian kids by example, and infusing everyday family time with purpose and spiritual growth.

• [00:01:18] The big transition in Ephesians: from "who you are" to "how you live" as a Christian parent
• [00:03:27] Discover your calling and how to live it out

Resources:

• Instagram: @7minutedevotions, @christenclark
• Family Podcast: @collidekidspodcast

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:02

Hello and welcome to 7 Minute Devotions for Busy Parents. I'm your host, Kristen Clark, and I am so glad you're here. Listen, I just want to say I know what it's like to be a busy parent because I'm right there with you. There are seasons where it feels like there's no time for self-care, let alone anything extra. But one of the most important ways that we can care for ourselves is soul care. I know in our culture today and on social media, you might hear things about soul care, but listen, the truth is the only one who can really care for our souls is God. Soul care is taking time to nurture your relationship with God so your heart stays aligned with him. It's about being with God, not just doing for God. That's what soul care really is. And so that's what we're doing here. We're turning to him, we're opening his word, and we're taking just a few minutes to refocus our hearts and minds on his love and his grace towards us. Well, before we jump in, I just want to thank you to those of you who have taken a moment to leave a rating and a review on your podcast app, especially Apple. That's just such a really great way for more people to hear about the show. So if you're listening on a podcast app, just click go to show and then scroll down to the bottom, and it just takes a couple seconds. If you haven't done that already, I would really appreciate it. It would mean so much to me. All right, let's jump into today's episode. I'm really excited because we are stepping into chapter four of Ephesians. And this is a big transition point. Today's identity statement is this I am called. And now Paul is shifting. If you were to divide the book of Ephesians in half, this is the turning point. Verse one of chapter four is like the hinge. He's moving from this is who you are to this is how you live. In verse one, it says, as a prisoner for the Lord, then I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. That word calling is so important. And honestly, it's one that we use quite a bit in church, don't we? We talk about being called to something, a job, a ministry, a mission trip, a specific season of life. And those things can absolutely be part of how God is leading us. But that's not really what Paul is talking about here. He's not talking about a specific role or assignment. He's talking about your identity. Your calling is the reality that you have been chosen, redeemed, and brought into the family of God. And that's what chapters one through three have been building toward. So when Paul says live a life worthy of your calling, he's not telling you to earn something. He's telling you to live in a way that reflects what you have already been given. And that's why the gospel is so different. The gospel doesn't start with do better. It starts with this is what Christ has done for you. And then your life becomes a response to that. But here's where things can get a little bit confusing because sometimes we mix up calling with a specific direction. We say things like, I'm not called to that. Have you ever said that when someone asks you to volunteer, oh, I'm not called to that? Or I'm waiting to figure out what I'm called to do. But every believer is already called. The question isn't if you're called, it's how are you living it out? Paul goes on to describe what that looks like. It looks like humility, gentleness, patience, unity, love. That's the calling. And yes, within that, God may lead you into specific roles or opportunities in ministry and life, but those are expressions of your calling, not the definition of it. And I do believe that when people understand that they are called, it changes something in them. There's a sense of purpose, a passion, a willingness to say yes to what God is doing because you realize your life isn't random. It's intentional. If you have breath in your lungs, you still have a purpose. God is not done with you. Sometimes as parents, it's easy to forget that we have this purpose. But we have to remember that our kids are watching the way that we live. Do they see us walking with purpose and passion? Do they see us following God with intention? Or do they see us just going through the motions? One of the greatest ways that we can influence our children is by living like we believe our life matters, that we have been called, that we're part of something bigger. And by the way, that calling doesn't end when your kids grow up. It doesn't end when they move out. It just changes. When they're little, we nurture them. And as they grow, we guide and influence them. And even into adulthood, you can still encourage, pray for, and point your children towards God. Your role as a parent is one of the greatest areas of influence God has given you. So I encourage you to ask God today. Ask him, God, how do I live out my calling in front of my children? Show me how to lead them towards you. And don't just pray for what you want for them or how you want their lives to end up. Pray that God's will would be done in their lives, that they would pursue him, that they would walk in their own calling. Well, before we pray, I'm going to go over our identity rhythm for this episode. So this is something we're doing in each episode this season. I'll read these three short statements: who we are in Christ, why it's true, and how we live from it. And then I'll repeat the identity statement at the end. And I want you to say it with me so that it can stick into your mind and your heart this week. So our identity statement for today is I am called. God has chosen me and brought me into his family, giving my life purpose through Christ. Because I am called, I live with purpose, reflect Christ in how I treat others, and follow God's leading in my everyday life. Let's say the identity statement one more time. I am called. Let's pray. God, thank you so much for calling us. Thank you for calling me, not just because of what I've done or anything that I haven't done, but because of what you have done through Christ. God, I pray you'd help us to live a life that reflects that calling. Give us humility and patience and love and show us how to walk this out, especially in front of our children. And God, I pray that you would help us to point our children back to you and help them discover the purposes that you have for their lives. Lord, I also want to pray for someone who's listening right now who feels called to something. They feel like you're asking them to step out in faith in some way. Maybe it's for a job or a ministry or just a different way of living their life. God, I pray that they would be obedient to that, prompting in their spirit that they would turn to you and that they would say yes, even if they don't fully know all the answers or even know what the question is. God, I pray that we would surrender our lives to you every day in Jesus' name. Amen. Well, my friend, you don't have to wonder if your life has purpose. You are called. So live like it. And if this episode encouraged you today, would you do me a favor and share it with someone else who might need this reminder too? Thank you so much for listening today. I hope that you will join us later again this week for another episode. And remember who you are and who you belong to.