Children like to be helpful. Even the most disruptive child can be redirected by asking them to help with a task. I have seen little children trying to move adult size chairs (sometimes bigger than them) so that they can help clean up. At those times, instead of telling the child that it’s too heavy, you would probably discreetly lift the chair without the child knowing and encouraging the child by telling them how helpful they are. Obviously, as the adult you could have probably done it a lot quicker on your own but you want to nurture the child’s desire to be helpful so you work with the child.
In the same light, how often do we think that we are being helpful all by ourselves when in fact God is doing most of the heavy lifting? When we do ministry do we try and carry the load all by ourselves, thinking that we need to come up with the best program or put together the ultimate game plan so that we can be successful? Do we believe that if we don’t do this or that, then we won’t see fruit? Or do we see that God is much bigger and more effective in doing His work and is allowing us to be a part of it?
Don’t be mistaken, we have a responsibility to take action but our actions are out of obedience and not something that we have come to on our own. And because this is not of us, we do not need to worry about the results. The results are in the hands of Someone bigger than you and I.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:6-9