We have a partnership with God!

We have a partnership with God!

I recently read an article in “Impact” (the internal newsletter for the California Baptist Foundation written by President and C. E. O. Phillip Kell) discussing the outlook for the year ahead. I couldn’t agree more with Phill’s last paragraph and especially his words, “Business as usual will not get the job done. Thanks in advance for all I know you are going to do to help us get better in 2010. Let’s pray as if it all depends on God, and then work like it all depends on us.”

Central to this thought that we are not only partners with each other in God’s service but God is also completely in the mix. We can accomplish nothing of eternal value without Him and He chooses to use us to realize His work here on earth.

I am reminded of the farmer who had a beautiful but small garden outside the front door of his house. When a friend commented on its beauty the farmer simply said jokingly, “You should have seen it last year when God tried to do it on His own.” We are partners with God.

Paul speaks of this partnership in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.” (NASU) Even though we should view ourselves and our accomplishments as nothing in our own eyes (that’s called humility), God honors our work when we complete it here on earth and gives us the reward for our faithfulness now and in Eternity.

Too often men are given the accolades when things go well and are held responsible when something goes wrong. We know that God is in control of all events at all times. People need to spend more time giving God the credit when it goes well and looking to Him for His blessings in the decisions that go awry.

We sow the seed, water and weed.
He brings to harvest, all we need.
In times of good and times of sorrows
We trust in God, He makes tomorrows.

Phil really gets it. Let’s help those around us understand that real blessings come from giving God all the credit for the success but that God also provides us with blessings that emerge from what we and others view as failures.

Rom 8:28 “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.” (TLB)

Bruce