Participation, A Part of the Process

Participation, A Part of the Process

Scripture Reading: Col. 1:9,10; 28,29

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Thoughts

Imagine a new disc golfer who wants to grow. He watches form videos, asks good players for advice, and even seeks tips from coaches. But he never goes to the field. He never puts in the reps. He has a desire, but he never puts feet to that desire. Without practice, he’ll never become a complete, mature player.

Paul understood this spiritually. In my previous devotion, I outlined his threefold ministry approach: proclamation, warning, and teaching. But before all of that, Paul began with prayer. In Colossians 1:9–10, he prays that believers would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will so they could walk in a way that pleases Him. Paul prayed for their maturity—but he didn’t stop there.

Just as a disc golfer won’t grow without stepping into the process, spiritual maturity doesn’t happen by desire alone. Paul prayed…, and then he participated. He proclaimed, warned, taught, labored, and even suffered so that his prayers for their growth would be matched by his willingness to be part of God’s means of producing that growth.

Many times, we pray for change — in ourselves or in others — but stop there. Yet God often invites us to step into the very process we’re praying about. Prayer is not a substitute for participation; it’s the power that fuels it.

Reflection #1

Do you stop at prayer, or do you participate? Remember, it is God who works in us to will and to work (Phil. 2:13).

Reflection #2

Think about your recent prayers. How might God be inviting you to step into the process of the change you’re asking for?

 

Meditate on these things as we go throw to the glory of God.

 

Prayer

Father, help us remember you work through means, and sometimes we are those very means by which you work. Help us to recognize those times where we must participate to achieve the things we are asking for. Forgive us for our laziness and for only praying without participation in the process. Thank you for being patient with us in our sanctification.

In Your name we pray

Amen

 

Steve Franklin PDGA #194303