Day 20: To be God’s co-workers

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, as the Lord appointed to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but God who gives the increase.
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: you are God's field, you are God's building. (1 Cor. 3:5-9)

If you live long enough you’ll have the experience of having one or two very, shall we say, interesting co-workers. But what could be more exciting than knowing that you’ve been given the privilege of working together with God?

God is the most fulfilling Person imaginable to partner with. First, He gives you a unique personality and gifts, making you the one-of-a-kind person you are. Then, He calls you to start doing a work which many times doesn’t match the gifts and abilities He gave you. You get tempted to ask, “Was He confused when He made me?”

Then, suddenly, somehow, He begins to use you to make a unique contribution to the life of others. A big project can seem like a soup – everyone has a particular vegetable to toss into it. You start to work with joy, and even start to appreciate each others’ vegetables! At the end of the day, just as Paul saw at Corinth, God can take the contribution of each of His servants and make something wonderful (and delicious, too).

God, it’s exciting to work together with you and with my brothers and sisters. Position me exactly where I need to be in this project and give each one of us a fruitful place of service as we labor together with Your strength.