Principles of work – Partnership

Dear Friends,

You probably already got the idea of the trend I follow in these blogs on principles of work but just to be sure; I aim to start with the example from God in creation, then a focus on Adam and other bible characters which then hopefully leads to few practical applications.

It is a well-known fact that partnership in all areas of work leads to efficiency, creativity, and several other good outcomes. Yet we can all cite examples where we have failed as a society to prevent harm to people due to our inability to work in partnership with others especially in our attempts to protect children and other vulnerable individuals.

But this blog aims to explore the biblical perspective. So, let us dive straight in to Genesis 1:26 where God said, ‘let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over….’. The ‘us’ here refers to the Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This point is made clearer when we read the story of creation in John 1:2-3 where it is revealed that Jesus Christ is the Word of God through whom all things were created. We also remember that the Spirit of God was there “hovering over the waters” during the creation of the world (Genesis 1:2). God, therefore, did not create in isolation.

Stronger together

Now, if we move to the first created man Adam, God declared in Genesis 2:18 that it is not good for man to be alone followed with the promise to make a helper suitable for him which eventually lead to the creation of Eve. God created us male and female in His image so that we can complement one another and work in partnership.

God’s original intention was to work in partnership with us and we can see a glimpse of this in His relationship with Adam. God brought every animal He created for Adam to name and he took walks with the couple in the Garden of Eden before sin separated them from God. HIS idea for creating us is so that we live in partnership with one another, Man with God.

If we briefly return to the story of Bezalel in Exodus 31, we see another illustration that the work of creation is never a solo endeavour and that we always need a community to create. We note in the passage that Bezalel was filled with the Holy Spirit so that he can carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary of God. The call was however to Bezalel and Oholiab and to every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. All other Israelites who were not involved in the building work also brought in their freewill offerings for the work, and they brought so much stuff they had to be told to stop! (Exodus 36:1-5). The building of the first House of God (Tabernacle) was a demonstration of partnership in action.

And if we finish off the examples by looking at the life of the last Adam, Jesus Christ, we will see Him still in partnership with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit but also in partnership with the first Apostles and then subsequently all of us His Disciples. That is why He prayed that we will be together in complete unity with one another and with Him just as He is with the Father (John 17: 20-23). Jesus came to demonstrate perfect partnership and through Him, we can now work both in partnership with God, and with the people around us.

United in partnership

The above examples show that God, Adam, Bezalel, and Jesus Christ all worked in partnership with others to bring their creations to life. The same is true for you and me. To do the work God created us to do, we must learn to create in community.

May I encourage you to look around you today, to see the partners God had already positioned to help you in the creative assignment He gave you? You do not have to look too far as they are probably obvious to see. Another way to do this is to reflect on areas where you know you are weak and then look out for people around who are stronger in those areas.

But you know what, as Christ-followers, the most important and most powerful partner we need is God, and partnership with God is through His Holy Spirit. If we are saved, we already have God’s Spirit indwelling within us and that is the greatest advantage we have in the workplace. Unfortunately, many of us leave God out of our work life and rather choose to struggle to make things happen by our strength.

Let us remind ourselves that the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge, and the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:1-3). Whilst we need wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might to do excellent work of creation, we also need the fear of the Lord to keep us on the straight and narrow, and avoid falling into sin.

I can cite several personal examples where I have seen the move of the Holy Spirit in my work life, both in small and in big ways. I have lost count of how many people I will pick up my phone to call or email and their response would be ‘I was just thinking about you or I was just about to call you’. Several times I was about to make hasty responses to people but then would listen to the Holy Spirit’s voice that says, ’wait’ and then I see the positive result. I also thank God for the voice of the Holy Spirit that quickly points out to me when I am about to do something sinful no matter how small it is and the same Holy Spirit then gives me the power to not do it! Thank you, Amazing Holy Spirit!

 This Holy Spirit is a gentle Spirit of God which means He does not impose Himself on us. He only comes when we invite Him in, and He speaks in a quiet voice, so we have to listen to hear Him. All of us need to grow in recognising and obeying His voice so that we can see excellent growth in work.

Refreshed in partnership with the Holy Spirit

May I, therefore, ask you, if you are willing, to pray each day before you start work and ask God the Holy Spirit to lead you, to guide your thoughts and actions as you carry out your work? After praying, you must then listen out to that small voice of God within you and follow His direction no matter how ridiculous it may seem. If you do this, please share your feedback and hopefully your testimonies in the blog comment for others to also benefit.

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God bless you and keep growing in the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Adesina