It was early in the morning. Too early. And it was too late a night the night before. But I was awakened before anyone else by a dream. A dream that echoed longings pushed deep down in my heart. A dream so vivid that it felt real. As I lay there, a verse came to mind. I couldn’t shake it, couldn’t get back to sleep until I had written it down. “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1).

And then a cascade of thoughts…

“Live a life worthy of…” Your character doesn’t grow as a result of your calling. Quite the opposite. Your ability to fulfill your calling will only ever be as big as your character.

“Live a life worthy of…” Don’t focus on calling. Focus on character. It’s the only platform you’ll ever need. Many people have crumbled in the spotlight because their character couldn’t sustain their calling. Even if your calling is to stay in the shadows, your character will shine the love of Jesus brighter than any spotlight ever will.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Gifts and talents may open some doors. But only a Christ-like character will unlock the fullness of what God has planned for you.

It starts at home. Some say character is who you are when no one else is watching. True. But character is also revealed in how you behave with those closest to you. Your parents. Your siblings. Your husband. Your kids. Your closest relationships are a mirror; they show you who you really are. Start at home.

Be confident in what God has called you to be. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” If you have a confirmed word from God about what He wants to do in and through you, walk into that calling confidently. Don’t let anybody tell you that it’s too big, that you’ll never make it. If it’s God who called you, it’s God who will enable you.

Don’t get discouraged by what you see with your natural eyes. Romans 4:18 says, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him…” And then, “He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He promised.”

Are you fully persuaded? Do you really believe that God can do what He has promised? Do you really believe that He can bring to pass the dream that He has planted inside of you?

All this in the wee hours of the morning. Encouragement, a challenge and the reigniting of a dream.

And one last thought. Hebrews 10:39: “But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.”

A call to faith. A call to action.