Thursday, August 02, 2007

Today’s challenge is COOPERATION…

What does it mean to cooperate? (Co-Operate)…It simply means to work with another, to operate with someone else toward a mutual end. The key words are work/operate. These are action words. In order to cooperate, you must exert some effort. Sometimes we think cooperating is simply agreeing to let the other party do the work. Agreement is just the first step, but that is not cooperation. To cooperate means you participate. And you participate in order to procreate. It is very difficult to work or participate with another toward something you don’t agree with. The goal of cooperation is to reach a mutually intended result. Anytime you intentionally exert energy or effort, you have a point or goal to accomplish. Your energy should always be used toward bringing something forth, producing, etc. No one should ever really exert effort toward nothingness. When God moves, He moves with intention. God is never doing something or allowing something in your life without a plan to produce that goes with it. But remember, results require the cooperation of at least two. God wants your COOPERATION. This is why God said it is not good for Adam to be alone, so He created Eve. He needed two to procreate. Fruitful businesses need cooperative staff. Fruitful seeds need cooperative soil. Fruitful relationships need cooperative partners.

Both marriages and relationships often fail, because there is not cooperation by both partners. Very often one-partner calls themselves cooperating by allowing the other to take control of the relationship, but very little is ever usually accomplished. You stay together, you go through the motions, but really over the past 5 years what have you accomplished together. I didn’t ask what did you as an individual accomplish, but what did you as a couple accomplish. Go ahead, say it with me, NOTHING, or very little. My point is that if you want positive productivity in your life, you have to find a partner, a company, a church, a friend, etc., to join energy with so you can reach your mutually intended results in life. I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more selfish I am about my time. It literally begins to irritate me when I find myself working toward something that is going to bring no result. Many of you probably right now are working down a dead end street and you know there is nothing for you at the end of the alley. But you keep working because no one is around to guide you to a more fruitful place or partnership.

Well my friend that’s why I’m here! To help you with today’s challenge, take a few moments to read the very short book of Haggai. Haggai tells a story of God’s people working for themselves instead of COOPERATING with God. God told them because they were very busy building their own houses and lives; He was going to cause their blessings to dwindle away. Have you ever felt like you work more and more, but keep less and less? It’s probably because you’re partnered with someone or something that you can’t find cooperation. Or, more bluntly put, you may not be cooperating with God. I challenge you today, to choose to partner your energy toward a mutual result. Only agree to work toward what you agree is profitable not just for you, but for all those involved. Have a blessed day my friend as you struggle, as many of us are, with COOPERATION!

Leave me your comment anonymously and let me know if you’d like for me to pray for you regarding today’s blog challenge, “cooperation”.

Peace!