What Does It Mean to Work for God

Benet Hill Monastery, Black Forest, Colorado

I thought that I'd try something different on Sundays, and address the theme that we'll focus on at the congregation I'm privileged to serve here in Colorado Springs; Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

We've be addressing a number of issues under the theme, "What does it mean..." Today we'll wrestle with the question, "What does it mean to work for God."

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:6 English Standard Version

On the surface it would seem freeing for us to say that God takes our efforts and makes something amazing happen with them. We struggle to get it right, and it is a comfort to know that God takes our sin-tainted efforts and grows something for his good.

However, realizing that God gives the growth means that we're not in control.  

Paul planted the word of God. He spent only enough time in cities to plant the good news of God's love for all, then he'd bugger out of there. Apollos lived in Corinth. He knew the people. He kept nurturing that word that Paul planted, but God gave the growth.

And if God gives the growth, we have to let go of our need to get the results we want. We might be like Paul and love planting the Word of God or we might be like Apollos and enjoy nurturing that Word in people's lives.  In the end, we must give the results over to God.

This is the question that I'm leaving everyone with today: Can you live with the fact that when you work for God you might never see the results?

I raised this question on Twitter.  You can find me on Twitter at Douglas Brauner@pdoug0856.

Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-14 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR