Cooperation Factor

 

For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God. --- Teresa of Avila

How profound is this little quote!  It might seem like a new idea here in the 21st century, but it goes at least as far back asTeresa in the 1500's. 

Consider what a friendship entails. In general, it includes trust, support, cooperation, communication, and shared experiences that build deep bonds, among other things. Prayer (and I would add meditation and contemplation) helps us develop all of these aspects of friendship with God, with The More.

The more in tune with God we are, the greater our trust in God. The primary way we get in tune with The Infinite is prayer. We feel supported as we experience the Presence in our prayer time, and this support carries us throughout the day.

We may not have thought of cooperation, but it seems to me that we have to do our part in this relationship. We need to cooperate with the things asked of a person in relationship with God. Forgive our trespasses as we forgive, judge not, take care of others, show mercy as mercy is shown to us, let our light shine, etc.  When I think of cooperation, one of the scriptures that also comes to me is Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the sheep and the goats. I urge you to re-read it today. It is a clear picture of what is asked of us. As we share in God's work here on earth, it changes us.

Add cooperation into your equation of how to live spiritually, and something truly amazing will unfold. All aspects of your relationship with God will expand and deepen. And just maybe, if enough of us do it, it will change everything for the better, helping to create the long-held vision of the kingdom of God on earth.