In keeping with Thanksgiving, yesterday in our church we celebrated and gave thanks for our workers. I wrote a card to each person that affirmed their individual gifts, roles, and strengths, and after church we went together to a restaurant to eat deep dish Chicago pizza.
I basked in the afterglow of our celebration for the rest of the day. We are a band of brothers and sisters seeking the Kingdom of God together in our city, and there is a sweetness in that experience. We go through ups and downs together. We get tired together. We solve problems together. We succeed together, and sometimes we fail together. We sing and pray together.
One of the best ways to get to know people is to work with them. When you work with someone, you learn about his or her character, values, and strengths. You learn about resilience, about steadfast love and faithfulness. Your hearts are knit together with a special bond of love.
The same holds true in our relationship with God. We learn much about God and his ways by working with him.
Working with God is one of the best ways to know him better. Jesus said, “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:17). In biblical times sons worked with their fathers. Sons learned the family business at their fathers’ side. When we work with God, we are with him and he with us. God’s work is an important way of knowing God.
For example, Moses came to know God exponentially more beginning on the day when he encountered him at the burning bush and for the rest of his life as the leader of God’s people. Likewise for the 12 disciples of Jesus. Likewise for me and every pastor I know.
In Second Corinthians the apostle Paul teaches about God based usually on what he learned in working for him. Paul was put to work almost immediately when God saved him by appearing to him on the road to Damascus. I have been studying 2 Corinthians for several years, reading it again and again. Each time through the Book I learn new things about working with and walking with God. I learn more and more about God’s ways.
As a result, the next theme for this blog will be, Knowing God in the Work of the Lord, and 2 Corinthians will be our focus.
My next post will be, Finding the Will of God in the Work of God. I hope you will join me.