Life: Collaborative Effort, With God In Control
Virtually everything I do is a collaborative effort. I have always been
surrounded by co-laborers; people who help me, work with me, providing
instruction and motivation. This is true of every "hat" I wear: Father, Husband,
Preacher, Writer, etc. My parents nurtured and taught me. My wife helps me learn
grace. My children influence me in good ways. My students refine my thought. My
peers exhort and urge me on to better things. I've been surrounded by good role
models and faithful teachers for sixty years. Boasting is hereby excluded.
I'm not an expert on the Providence of God, but this is one aspect of His rich
provisions for His people I have no doubt about. God uses people to enrich the
lives of His people. I'm not willing to say that all these good people who have
made their mark in my life just happened to come along. I am more than
comfortable with the belief that God has used many good people to teach me, work
with me, push me, admonish me and encourage me.
While I rejoice in the healthy collaboration I need, I must also consider how
God might use me to help others! I need to make myself available to God and to
others, so I can supply for others what many have supplied for me. I ought to
think and pray and serve others in such a way, I help people do what is right
and thrive in their discipleship. "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
God never meant us to live life alone. We can live in fellowship with God,
through the cross of Christ. We can join with other Christians to do what God
has directed we do together. God can use other people to help us grow, and use
us in the same manner. We can rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those
who weep. We were meant to celebrate with each other when there is victory, help
each other in battle and join with each other in every good work and hope. Life
is collaborative, but this good collaboration is functional and productive
because of the God who is in control. Think about your place in this wonderful
scheme.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For
if either of them falls, the one will life up his companion. But woe to the one
who falls when there is not another to life him up," Eccl. 4:9-10.
By Warren E. Berkley
The Front Page
From Expository Files 15.5; May 2008
