LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.
— Isaiah 26:12
I recently read a story of a kid on a bicycle, struggling his way up a steep hill. Just when it looked like he was going to have to give in, a car slowly passed him. It was going slowly enough that the boy grabbed the side mirror and held on as the car made its way to the top. His father was in the front seat of the car. The boy made it because his father willed that it should be.
This can be our experience when we choose to work in harmony with Jesus in the Kingdom of God. That’s not to say that life will be smooth sailing; trials and tribulations are guaranteed for those who walk with God. The promise is that God will always slow down to carry us through them, and we will succeed because he wills that we should.
To have this experience, a few things must be true.
1. Go in God’s Direction
We have to be traveling in the direction God is going. It’s foolish for one to expect the help of God if they’re walking in their own way. The old truth remains, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matt. 6:33). That means finding out what God is doing, and where, then joining in the good work! Go in that direction.
2. Work Hard
Working with God does not mean being lazy simply because he can do the heavy lifting. No, in light of the fact that we’re working with him, we must work hard! Paul noted about his labors, “I worked harder than any of them…” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Like the boy, we must pedal uphill with all our might. But…
3. Work Expectantly
Though we work hard, we do not trust our work for the results. Paul finished the above scripture by saying, “I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). He worked trusting that God was graciously providing the supernaturally necessary component to accomplish the task.
My dad used to say, “If we add our ‘natural’ behind God’s ‘super,’ we will have a supernatural result.”
Working expectantly includes looking for signs of God at work. In The Great Omission, Dallas Willard says, “You may be very sure that if your sincere intent is to glorify God and bless others in your efforts, and you are not motivated by unloving attitudes, you will see the hand of God move with you as you expectantly do your work. Your part is simply to expect it, watch for it, give thanks as you see it, and, on the basis of your experience, encourage others to do the same.”
4. Give Thanks
Willard’s quote leads to our final task: give thanks! I can imagine the boy gave his dad a huge high-five at the top of the hill. He knew that it was because of him that he made it. Gratitude, therefore, was the only proper response.
When we realize the truth in the Isaiah scripture — “All that we have accomplished you have done for us.” — our hearts will be filled with gratitude! It will flow from us as easily as we inhale and exhale.
Merciful God, in so many ways you stoop to our weakness, allowing us to hitch ourselves to your wagon as you carry us into the life you created for us. Grant that we might always walk in your direction, and when we stray, gently call us back. Teach us how to work hard, while constantly looking for signs of your presence. And fill our hearts with thanksgiving at the privilege of being enlisted in your service. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Thank you - I needed that today.
Great reminder.