(Posted on: May 1, 2013 by David McMillin)
(NOTE: While serving as mentor for an online verion of "A Search For God" study group one of the partipants posted some very interesting observations about cooperation and asked me to comment on them. - David McMillin)
Great Observations. Cooperation can be very complex, to be sure. As I read your post I felt some strong resonance to your thoughts, which I will share:
Like you I have wrestled with rebellion and the "thy will be done" aspect of cooperation; the question of free will, etc. Like you I have come to the conclusion that what it is really about is the realization that I am part of the Whole and "thy will be done" is really about what is best for everyone (and everything) concerned – what is best for the Whole and not just what I think is best for me. I don't really think God is a control freak or micromanager – God just wants us to recognize that we are part of Whole and to play our part, to fulfill our special role, in a loving, respectful way. Within that scope there is plenty of room for the use of individual will and making choices of how best to do that.
Like you, I have wrestled with the apparent condition of the world and its lack of cooperation. The way I deal with it in my mind is to focus up close. It's in the little things where cooperation really blossoms – the kind word, the considerate act.
Sometimes I think that in the unseen realm of spirit these little acts of cooperation are actually gigantic - like stars being born in a vast stellar nebulae. Maybe angels are rejoicing - jumping up and down in delight because I refrained from reacting to selfishness in like manner. I can even get a little giddy about such little things and find myself chuckling inside. Even if someone doesn't respond to my attempts at cooperation in the way I would like, usually I can still rejoice inside, knowing that I have done my part. God gives the increase. And if I fail in doing my little part, then I just have to let go of it and know that I tried.
To be honest, there are times when I don't even try – I fall asleep spiritually, or are simply rebellious in some way. That's the hardest part for me. If I can let go of that and just chuckle at myself, even when I really screw up, that seems to help keep me on track. Cooperation has so many aspects: with others, with God, within myself. No wonder it's the first lesson in a Search For God. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and evoking these reflections within me. - Dave