Partnered for Purpose

Since the beginning of time God has desired that we would join forces with Him in order for His will to be done through us. In the garden when He simply could have created robots who would do His bidding, he opted instead to create Adam and Eve with their own free will so that they could choose to partner with Him to fulfill the purpose He had established for all mankind. Throughout the Old Testament when the people of God continued to stray, He never made them do His will but simply gave them the opportunity to return to Him over and over, experiencing His never-ending mercy and grace. When Jesus came to redeem us from our sinful condition, even He had the opportunity to choose to partner with Father God for His purpose when He came to the crossroads in the Garden of Gethsemane. And now when it comes to you and I, let's never forget that the Father always gives us the chance to choose His will and do our part in the process. He never makes you do anything, but He gives you the choice and provides the grace to fulfill whatever He's calling you to do.

Recently, a close friend shared an insight from Jentzen Franklin with me that ties in with this topic. He said that when Peter was being miraculously freed from prison by the angels of God (Acts 12), a peculiar thing happened. Despite chains falling off of his hands, walking through walls and a secure iron gate opening on it's own (with the help of the Holy Spirt :-)), the angel asked Peter to 'put on [his] garments and follow [him]' (v.8). Why with so much miraculous occurrence was there a need for Peter to do the simplest of things: putting on his robe and shoes? The reason that Jentzen Franklin shared is profound. Despite all of the powerful workings of the Holy Spirit, there was still a requirement of the step of faith by doing his part for Peter. Even in His working of the miraculous, the Father still wants us to partner through our obedience to Him. It's why Jesus had to come to the crossroads at Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-45) and why Peter had to step out of the boat to walk on water in Matthew 14. It's also why you and I must find out what God requires of us in partnering with Him for what we're called to do.

So today and everyday, I encourage you to do whatever Father God is requiring of you to remain partnered with Him, for your purpose in Him.