What does it mean practically to “partner” with God in the context of fulfilling my personal calling, beyond just hearing and obeying what I believe God is directing me to do? I’m grappling with the feeling that simply “following” feels passive, like I’m just a recipient of divine instructions. I’m wondering how active participation, initiative, creativity, and even potentially taking calculated risks factor into this idea of partnership. Does partnering involve actively shaping the direction and manifestation of my calling, while remaining aligned with God’s overall will? How do I discern the line between taking ownership and potentially hijacking the divine plan with my own ego or desires? Are there examples in the Bible or in contemporary stories of individuals who exemplify this active partnership with God, and what principles can I glean from their experiences?
Answer
Partnering with God in your calling suggests a dynamic, collaborative relationship where you actively participate in bringing God’s will to fruition. It signifies moving beyond passive obedience to a state of co-creation and co-laboring with the Divine. While following God’s calling emphasizes obedience and adherence to a pre-ordained path, partnering implies a more profound level of engagement, responsibility, and shared ownership.
Following God’s Calling:
- Emphasis on Obedience: Primarily focuses on listening to and obeying God’s specific directives and commands. It’s about identifying what God wants you to do and then doing it.
- Relies on Divine Guidance: Heavily dependent on seeking and receiving clear instructions from God. The path is often presented as a pre-determined plan revealed through prayer, scripture, or prophetic words.
- Submissive Role: The individual adopts a submissive role, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and relinquishing personal will to His divine purpose. The focus is on trusting God’s plan and following His lead.
- Focus on Task Completion: Success is measured by the completion of the task God has assigned. The emphasis is on achieving the specific outcome God has revealed.
- Potential for Passivity: Can sometimes lead to a passive approach, where the individual waits for explicit instructions before taking action. The individual may feel less empowered to innovate or adapt.
- Acceptance of God’s Will: Primarily accepts God’s will without necessarily understanding the deeper implications or actively shaping the outcome.
Partnering with God in Your Calling:
- Emphasis on Collaboration: Highlights a collaborative relationship with God, where you actively contribute your skills, talents, resources, and ideas to fulfill His purpose. It is a co-creation process, meaning your contribution is essential and valuable.
- Requires Discernment and Initiative: Involves actively discerning God’s heart and intentions, then taking the initiative to align your actions with His will. It’s not just about receiving instructions, but also understanding the underlying principles and values driving God’s plan.
- Empowered Role: The individual is empowered to use their God-given gifts, talents, and abilities to advance God’s kingdom. There’s a sense of shared responsibility and ownership of the outcome.
- Focus on Kingdom Impact: Success is measured not only by task completion but also by the broader impact on God’s kingdom and the transformation of lives. The emphasis is on contributing to a larger vision and purpose.
- Encourages Creativity and Innovation: Fosters creativity and innovation as you seek to understand and apply God’s principles in unique and effective ways. It encourages you to think outside the box and adapt to changing circumstances.
- Shared Ownership of the Vision: Actively participates in shaping the vision and outcome, contributing your insights, perspectives, and expertise to refine and enhance God’s plan. It requires understanding God’s heart and aligning your passions with His.
Key Differences Summarized:
| Feature | Following God’s Calling | Partnering with God in Your Calling |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship | Obedience-focused, hierarchical | Collaborative, co-creative |
| Action | Responding to directives, passive acceptance | Proactive initiative, shared responsibility |
| Guidance | Dependent on explicit instructions | Discernment of God’s heart and principles, independent action within them |
| Role | Submissive, follower | Empowered co-laborer, active participant |
| Focus | Task completion, specific outcome | Kingdom impact, transformative results |
| Creativity | Limited, based on instructions | Encouraged, innovative solutions |
| Ownership | Primarily God’s | Shared ownership and responsibility |
| Agency | Minimal | Significant |
Examples:
- Following: A missionary goes to a specific country because God clearly told them to go there. They focus on preaching the gospel in the way they were instructed, adhering strictly to the methods and strategies they were given.
- Partnering: A missionary feels called to address poverty. They pray and discern that God’s heart is for the poor to be uplifted. Instead of just handing out money, they partner with local leaders to develop sustainable economic programs that empower individuals and communities to lift themselves out of poverty. They use their skills and resources to create long-term solutions, adapting their strategies based on the needs and opportunities they identify in the community.
Partnering with God is not about taking control or deviating from His will, but about recognizing that you are a vital part of His plan and that He desires to work through you in a powerful and meaningful way. It’s an invitation to enter into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, where you co-create and co-labor to bring His kingdom to earth.
Pray This Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before you today, wrestling with the concept of my calling. I yearn to fulfill the purpose you have laid out for me, but I find myself questioning: What does it truly mean to partner with you in this endeavor?
It feels daunting to simply follow a path, like a sheep being led by a shepherd. I trust your guidance, Lord, but my heart desires more than blind obedience. I long to be an active participant, a co-creator, a partner in the unfolding of your will in my life.
Show me the difference, Father, between passively accepting my calling and actively partnering with you in it. Is it about bringing my skills and talents to the table, knowing they are gifts from you to be used for your glory? Is it about discerning your voice amidst the noise of the world and adding my own voice, my own passion, to the melody you are creating? Is it about wrestling with challenges, knowing you are present in the struggle, shaping me and the work we do together?
Help me to understand that partnering isn’t about taking control, but about surrendering control in a different way – a way that allows your Spirit to move through me, amplifying my efforts and exceeding my limitations. Teach me to listen not only for your direction, but also for your collaboration, for the unique contribution you are calling me to make.
Let me not be a mere instrument, but a fellow laborer in your vineyard. Grant me the wisdom to recognize your hand in my journey, the courage to step out in faith, and the humility to acknowledge that all good things come from you.
May my calling be not just something I do for you, but something we create together, a testament to your power and my willingness to partner with you.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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