The Sheer Wonder of Divine Partnership

The all-sufficient God desires to partner with us in His unfolding plan of redemption. But what does this have to do with becoming missional?

One of the most astonishing truths in the Scriptures is that the all-sufficient God desires to partner with us in His unfolding plan of redemption. From the beginning with Adam and Eve, and all through the biblical story, God involves frail, fallen people in His purposes. In Jesus, this invitation is even clearer. We are restored as children of God and invited to participate in the “family business”. While we are the junior partner, our role is a profound privilege and responsibility.

Two foundational thoughts help us understand this partnership, especially in the context of mission.

Firstly, it’s the Father who lovingly draws all people to Jesus.

As Jesus declared,

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).

The Father does the drawing, and He does it through creation, conscience, circumstance … and credibility (Romans 1:20; 2:1–16). He is always at work through His Spirit, convicting and comforting, wooing and stirring hearts (John 16:8). Along with creation, conscience and circumstance, He uses our credibility, our goodness and good deeds, as one of His ‘tools’. But the weight of saving or transforming anyone doesn’t rest on our shoulders. That’s His role. We simply cooperate with His Spirit.

Secondly, every human being is on a journey back to Father God.

While Isaiah 53:6 tells us that we’ve all gone astray, the Father is still drawing each one. Even the most self-seeking life is, deep down, trying to fill the void only God can fill (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Every soul aches for reunion with its Creator — even when the person doesn’t recognise it. The journey is rarely linear. People zigzag forward and back — yet the Spirit is faithfully present throughout. Our job is not to complete the process but to participate in it. As Jesus said to the searching scribe, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34).

Evangelism, then, is best seen as a process. For most, the journey toward faith passes through stages: ignorance, resistance, indifference, awareness and openness. People don’t move through them in neat order. Some stall, some leap forward, others regress. But if we see evangelism this way, it helps us be present and patient. We’re not forcing outcomes; we’re discerning where someone is and joining the Spirit in their process.

This has real implications. First, don’t assume. Ask questions. Listen actively. Discover where someone is in their journey. Second, tailor your approach. If someone knows little, start with the basics. If they’re resistant, let your life speak louder than your words. If they’re open, share more freely. Third, remember we often reap where others have sown. Your part may be to sow, water or wait. You don’t need to pick unripe fruit.

Instead, follow the promptings of the Spirit in partnership with the Father. Respond to His nudges. Practise self-giving love.

Be generous with joy, kindness and goodness. These are the ingredients the Spirit uses to soften hearts and draw people home.

Through the **Dayspring Project,** Craig equips individuals, small groups, youth groups, young adult ministries, churches, schools and organisations to become missional in an increasingly post-Christian world.