Bless My Efforts?

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Bless My Efforts

God gives us gifts. God chooses to work through us to reach a lost and dying world.

You've heard people say, "God's given us brains. We should use them."

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3.5-8 that he, "...planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow..."  But that's been bothering me as I approach this week's issue of the PowerMail. I mean, does God give me a brain and then say, "Have at it"? When I think this way, I often end up serving in my own strength. I plan; prepare; practice; strategize and THEN ask God to bless my efforts. It's like we're two separate entities. I go off and do my thing, then think, "Oh, yeah. This is God's deal. I better ask Him to bless my efforts with His magical touch."

So, I've got some questions to kick around with you:

When does our effort end and God's power begin?

How much effort are we to expend on our own? Any?

Are we getting in God's way when we try too hard?

Is there such a thing as working too hard for God?

I bet you've got some great insight on this subject. I invite you to share your thoughts in a comment or two.

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Comments

[Jim F.]

I remember Rick Warren saying one time - "You you should never pray and ask to bless what you are doing. You should never ask God to Bless your efforts because He is wants to bless what He is doing."

I see also the Blackaby idea of - Find where God is working and join Him being involved in all this.

For me I buy into their ideas of finding out where God is working and join in with Him because that is where He is working and that is what He will bless.

Good questions!

[Evan]

It's a partnership for sure. We are to work as if working for God, not for men, and this is the same God that can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. I rest easy most nights as I lay my head on the pillow in the comfort that God is working supernaturally behind the scenes in ways I can't even begin to attempt. And most mornings I awake ready to do my part and keep my eyes pealed and my ears open for the new things God has in store for me to do...things I could not have planned. It's an exciting way to live life and do my work (until things get a little slow or unproductive...then we have to go to your blog posts regarding "worry.") Thanks Scott - I actually needed this reminder today. Thanks for helping me process it. His (and your) timing is perfect.

[steve g]

Before Sunday's Worship & Teaching rehearsal, we have a prayer of "release". Members of our leadership team tend toward detail-oriented perfectionism, so that moment of "God, here it is--do what You want with it" is a critical pivot for us. We bring what we've prepared as a gift to God. But, our traction has greatly improved since we've increased the prayer we do during the week. Having hearts focused on what God wants while not directly connected to the task seems to fertilize our heart soil for Kingdom things to grow better.

[Scott Couchenour]

I too have latched on to Blackaby's "find out where God is already working and join him there" mindset. Good input on the subject.

[Scott Couchenour]

Even - great comment. Thanks for stopping by.

"Awake ready to do my part..." What a great way to start the day! ...after that first cup of coffee, of course :)

Speaking of timing, it's all God's.

[Scott Couchenour]

Beautifully put, Steve. I really think every worship leader needs to adopt your comment into their worship team manuals. Artists are creative. We need creativity. But creativity can so often turn to performance for performance sake alone. Keeping what you call, "hearts focused on what God wants" is vital.

Thanks for sharing!

[Dusty Rayburn]

I'm in the process of leading Blackaby's Experiencing God...so I am being pounded over the head with the notion of seeking where God is at work and join Him there. Just last night, I read (and I am paraphrasing): God does not desire to join you in your work and plans. He desires to receive all the glory by having you join Him in His work by obediently following His guidance.

When we make long range and even short range plans, often even though we intend good, we miss out on what God was planning to do. Blackaby points to Psalm 81:
Psalm 81:11-14 (New International Version)

11 "But my people would not listen to me;
Israel would not submit to me.

12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
to follow their own devices.

13 "If my people would but listen to me,
if Israel would follow my ways,

14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!
God will allow us to be stubborn and do our own thing. But, we should not expect God to join us there. By striving on our own, we are likely to miss out on what God is trying to do.

[Pamela]

I've been counselig for the past 15 years and have recently been pondering over a semiar I attended regarding prayer. I think to myself, how arrogant of me to think I can help people without going to God first and praying for His spirit to flow through me, and praying for a work to be done in the hearts of my clients. I too gravitate to Blackabys book, but am currently reading Larry Crabbs, The Pressures Off. Wow.....it seems the more I move in ministry, the more I realize how inadequate I am without His power that works within me!

[Jeremy Hoover]

Great newsletter today, Scott. In my perspective, I think we *do* work too hard to find God's blessing, or even God's work. This is when we tend towards creating plans and then asking God to bless them. But I take this approach: when we live the commands of God, we are doing his work, and he blesses us (and we don't need to specifically ask his blessing). In other words, God blesses my work when I am a neighbor to someone in need because I am doing his work.

imo, we look too hard for the "big things" of God that we miss the small things he wants us to do daily.

[Floyd Ferguson]

Luke 17:10 (New American Standard Bible)
10"So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"

I agree that we should be going where God is going and not asking Him to follow us. But Luke 17:10 reminds me that it is not supposed to be about me in any way... "we have done only that which we ought to have done" In the context of the entire passage of Luke 17:5-10 Christ is reminding us that He is the Master and we are the "slaves".