We are called by God to take care of his creation. Not just as stewards but as co-creators with God. His work continues with our help, in the fields of our lives.
In the spiritual realm, we are called as co-workers to evangelize those in the field of the world around us — our home base, neighborhood, workplace, and parish.
When we are partners with God, we can do anything! He provides everything we need:
• Grace.
• Wisdom.
• Opportunity.
• Charisms.
• Appropriate words.
• Perfect timing.
• Generosity.
• Courage.
• Faithfulness.
Sometimes the God of all time seems to freeze the hands of the clock, waiting for me to say that word of encouragement to someone in my field who needs the consolation someone gave me in a similar situation.
Or answer an unexpected phone call and quietly listen for a few moments without glancing at my watch and fuming.
Or write a blog post or tweet encouraging others to share their gifts.
Community of believers
Even with God as our partner, do we always have to go it alone? We are not only partners with God but with his co-workers. In the verses before Paul tells us we are co-workers with God, he talks about the community of believers. With each doing their unique part, they work together. The result? God causes the body of Christ to grow.
“Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor” (1 Cor 3:7-8)
The mission of the seventy-two
Jesus commissioned twelve Apostles. He then appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town he intended to visit. He said to them,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. (Luke 10:2)
Yes, he sends us out to prepare for his coming into the lives of those around us. But not alone. He is nudging someone with a complimentary gift toward the work he is equipping you to take up. Ask God and then look around and find that partner. We can join a ministry visiting shut-ins or teaching the faith. Or organize a team to carpool, clean and cook for a friend coming home from the hospital.
The assurance of Scripture
We have the confident assurance of Scripture that God is the one who causes the growth of all his laborers. As laborers, we are among those who grow.
What opportunities do you have to initiate something new or join co-workers in the fields ripe for an abundant harvest?
(© 2017 Nancy HC Ward)
Nancy Ward
Nancy HC Ward, author of Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story, was once a shy convert. She has spent decades writing about conversion, Christian community, and the Catholic faith. After earning a journalism degree, she worked for many years for the Texas Catholic (newspaper of the Diocese of Dallas) and the Archbishop Sheen Center for Evangelization, and later began her own editing service. An active member of the Catholic Writers Guild and a regular contributor to a number of high-profile Catholic publications online, she also has a busy blog on spirituality called Joy Alive.net. She’s a contributing author to The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Now, through her Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story workshops, retreats, book, and DVD, she shares her conversion story at Catholic parishes and conferences, equipping others to share their own stories.
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