We have talked about symbiotic relationships before within the context of earthly human relationships and especially within the marital relationship. We discussed how those relationships work best when they are built around a model where all parties seek to benefit others instead of themselves. Only the Lord can help us break away from selfishness and greed to the point where we are givers and not just takers within our relationships.
Today I want to challenge you to consider that we can also have a symbiotic relationship with our Lord God. There is no question that when we live a life connected to our wonderful Creator God that we reap benefits. No, the benefit package, so to speak, should not be the motivation for becoming a Christian, but there are benefits none the less. Not the least among these so-called benefits is the peace that comes from being connected to God. Paul lists the fruits of the Spirit that become manifest in our lives when we are filled with the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, 23.
Those fruits are love, joy, peace, longsuffering or patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Friends, these are very godly benefits of living a Spirit-filled life, but they also benefit everyone around us thereby making them symbiotic when applied through our relationships.
But not only does being filled with the Spirit of God bless us and those around us it blesses God too. "How" you may ask? We see several instances in the Bible where the people are God are called upon to bless the LORD their God. Nehemiah 9:5, Psalm 66:8, Psalm 68:26, Psalm 104:1, Psalm 145:1, and James 3:9 all speak of us blessing God. Yes, these are references that tell us to bless God but we are still missing the how, right? So how do we bless God?
First we have to ask, "What is the first thing that God wants from those He created?" The simple answer is worship. God desires our worship, our love, our devotion, reverence, and partnership in spreading the good news of Christ. Paul encouraged us to glorify God in all that we do (1 Cor. 10:31). When we respond to this call to glorify God, when we surrender our lives and worship the Lord as He has asked us to do then we bring a blessing to the heart of God. And when we bless the heart of God we become participants in a symbiotic relationship with our God. No, God does need us to be complete, but He sure loves it when His children come home.
It is my hope that we will live in such a way that we seek to bless God. Not only will it fill us with love and purpose but it will certainly put a smile on the face of our Lord. May we all purpose to be a blessing to the world around us and especially to our blessed Lord.
Dear Father God,
Thank You for seeking us. Thank You for teaching us how to be connected to You and for filling us with the Spirit so we can bless You and the world around us. Please give us the courage to live for You daily as You prepare us for eternity. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
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