I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called (Ephesians 4:1).
In 1940, the sixty year old General William Dobbie was dining at his club. At the outbreak of war he’d offered his services to the War Office, but nothing had come his way. Frustrated, he was working his way through his lunch when he received a message that Field Marshal Ironside was in the club, and wanted a word. Dobbie went, and spoke to Ironside who was at that time Chief of the Imperial General Staff. Ironside wanted him to go to Malta. In what capacity, wondered Dobbie. “As Governor and Commander-in-Chief” came the reply. Astonished, but in possession of a fine military training, Dobbie simply answered: “May I ring my wife?”. A dozen days later Dobbie and his wife were in Malta, and so began the long defence which resulted in the island being awarded the George Cross.
William Dobbie was a staunch Christian, and would often surprise dinner guests by calling them to prayer at the end of meals. In Parliament, Churchill once said of him: “That remarkable man, General Dobbie — a Cromwellian figure at a key point, fighting with his Bible in one hand and his sword in the other.”
What it is to be called to duty! Such is the lot of all Christians. You have been called to a task, and to a way of life. God calls you by name, and says follow. Writes Watson:
It is one of the saddest sights—to see a man lift up his hands in prayer, and with those hands oppress; to hear the same tongue praise God at one time, and at another lie and slander; to hear a man in words profess God, and in works deny Him. Oh how unworthy is this! Yours is a holy calling, and will you be unholy? Do not think you may take liberty as others do. The Nazarite had a vow on him, separated himself to God, and promised abstinence; though others did drink wine, it was not fit for the Nazarite to do it. So, though others are loose and vain, it is not fit for those who are set apart for God by effectual calling. Are not flowers sweeter than weeds? You must be now "a peculiar people" (1 Pet. 2:9); not only peculiar in regard of dignity—but deportment. Abhor all motions of sin, because it would disparage your high calling.
