"But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches." (v.17)
This verse can apply to so much in our lives, singleness, marriage, vocation, location, etc. But mostly I believe Paul is telling the Corinthians they don’t need to try and become something they are not. “Retain the place in life the Lord has assigned you” (v.17), “remain where you were called” (v.20), remain with God in that calling in which He called you to” (v.24). In other words, don’t feel pressured to do something or go somewhere God has not directed you. Whether born a slave, or free, married or unmarried, live as you are called.
This passage is just as relevant today as it was back then. God can use us where we are right now; on the job, at school, in our neighborhoods, married or unmarried, widowed, elderly, it does not matter. We don’t need to go to Seminary school, or Bible college, nor halfway around the world, to be used by God. All we need to be is ourselves and available to Him.
Therefore, let's walk our path and be joyfully in it. For we were bought with a price by the One who paid for us with His blood, to walk the path He has called us to. Will He not protect, provide, and guide us with His powerful right hand? As this same apostle wrote in Ephesians, “I (Paul), therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called..” (Eph. 4:1)
And so we walk, day by day, moment by moment, with our LORD.
The Truth: "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)
