Choosing to Work with God

 Posted on Facebook by Samoa Lualim

Cooperation—Choosing to Work With God

Cooperation may sound like a simple word, but spiritually, it means something far deeper than just getting along or agreeing with others. The readings remind us that the entire spiritual journey begins with one decision: the choice to work with God, rather than relying solely on our own will or desires. Before any wisdom can take root—before understanding, forgiveness, service, or love can grow—we must first open our hearts and say, “Yes, Lord. I want to work with You.”

This choice shifts our inner posture. Instead of pushing our own plans, we learn to listen, to pause, and to allow God to lead. Cooperation becomes the act of aligning our will with His, offering ourselves as channels for His work, and making space within our thoughts and intentions for divine guidance. It is the moment when we stop living from the ego and begin living as true partners with the Divine. Without cooperation, nothing else can follow. With it, everything becomes possible.

1. Cooperation means choosing to Work With God

“FIRST learn cooperation!… WAIT ye on the Lord… Think not of thine OWN desire, but let that mind be in you as was in Him.” 262-1

Cooperation, as described in the readings, is really about choosing to work with God. It is not only about people joining efforts or agreeing on a plan; it is a deeper decision to set aside personal desires and open ourselves to God’s guidance. When the readings say, “FIRST learn cooperation… WAIT ye on the Lord… Think not of thine OWN desire, but let that mind be in you as was in Him,” they are telling us that real cooperation begins when we stop trying to push our own will forward and instead allow God’s will to lead us. This kind of cooperation is a spiritual alignment. It means we choose to pause, listen, and wait for divine direction before acting. It asks us to let Christ’s attitude—His patience, love, and willingness to serve—shape how we think and what we do. When we cooperate in this way, we are no longer operating from ego or self-interest. We are consciously saying, “I want to work with You, not just with my own ideas.” This choice becomes the foundation for all spiritual growth, because once we align with God, everything else that follows can be built on a steady and trustworthy base.

2. Cooperation Is Offering Yourself as a Channel for Divine Work

“In cooperation IS the offering of self to be a channel… they that would have cooperation MUST cooperate by the GIVING of self TO that as is to be accomplished.” 262-3

Cooperation also means offering yourself as a channel for divine work. The readings explain that “in cooperation IS the offering of self,” meaning you cannot truly cooperate unless you willingly give yourself to the purpose God is trying to accomplish. This kind of cooperation is not passive—it is an active choice to let God work through you. It requires giving your will, your energy, your time, and your intentions to something larger than your own personal desires. When the readings say that those who want cooperation “MUST cooperate by the GIVING of self,” they remind us that spiritual work only moves forward when individuals freely open themselves to be used for good. This offering does not mean losing your identity; rather, it means allowing your abilities, feelings, and actions to be guided by a higher purpose. In this way, cooperation becomes a sacred act. You are saying, “Here I am—use me.” When you do this, you become a channel through which healing, guidance, strength, and love can flow to others. This is why cooperation is so powerful: it turns ordinary human effort into something that carries divine influence. By offering yourself in this way, you make it possible for God’s work to be done in the world through you.

3. Cooperation Must Come Before Any Other Lesson

“Cooperation… is the foundation on which all should be built.” 262-3

Cooperation must come before any other spiritual lesson because it is the foundation upon which everything else rests. The readings explain that cooperation is “the foundation on which all should be built,” meaning nothing stable or meaningful can grow without it. Before we can move into deeper teachings—such as understanding ourselves, helping others, or developing spiritual gifts—we must first make the decision to cooperate with God and with one another. This involves offering ourselves, opening our hearts, and allowing God’s guidance to shape our actions.

If we refuse to cooperate, we are trying to build on an unstable foundation made of self-will, pride, or personal agendas. But when we choose cooperation, we create the steady ground needed for God to teach us more. In this way, cooperation becomes the doorway that allows all other lessons to enter. Without it, no true progress can be made.

4. Cooperation means uniting our Will With Divine Will

“Let that mind be in you as was in Him… Losing self in HIS will.” 262-3

Cooperation also means uniting our human will with the Divine will. The readings emphasize this when they say, “Let that mind be in you as was in Him… Losing self in HIS will.” This shows that true cooperation is not just about teamwork or good intentions—it is a deep inner choice to align our thoughts, motives, and actions with God’s purpose. It means allowing the qualities of Christ—love, patience, humility, and willingness to serve—to guide how we think and respond. When we “lose self” in His will, we are not erasing who we are; rather, we are letting go of selfish impulses, fears, and desires that block our spiritual growth. We stop insisting on doing things our own way and instead invite God to direct our steps. This kind of cooperation transforms our everyday lives because it replaces ego-driven decisions with spiritually guided ones. By uniting our will with God’s will, we move in harmony with a higher plan instead of struggling against it or trying to act alone. This is why cooperation is so essential: it shifts us from independence and self-centeredness into partnership with the Divine. In that partnership, our actions carry greater purpose, clarity, and power.

5. Without Cooperation, Spiritual Power Cannot Flow

“In cooperative thought, cooperative intent, cooperative purpose — so do the activities come… the blessings come.” 262-3

Without cooperation, spiritual power simply cannot flow. The readings make this point very clear when they say that “in cooperative thought, cooperative intent, cooperative purpose — so do the activities come… the blessings come.” This means that blessings, guidance, inspiration, and spiritual strength only become active when people unite their thoughts and intentions with God and with one another. Cooperation opens the channel; refusal to cooperate closes it. When the heart is divided, distracted, or determined to follow its own way, there is no room for the Divine to work through us. In other words: no cooperation means no blessing, and without blessing, there can be no spiritual progress. Nothing meaningful can develop because we are not connected to the Source. But when we choose cooperation—when our purpose aligns with God’s purpose—the spiritual current begins to move. Ideas come, strength rises, healing flows, and opportunities open. Cooperation is what allows divine energy to enter human activity. It is the key that unlocks the door through which spiritual power can reach us and reach others through us. This is why cooperation is absolutely essential; without it, the spiritual life remains blocked, and all further lessons become impossible to practice.

SUMMARY:

At the heart of this lesson is a simple but powerful truth: spiritual growth begins with a willing heart. Cooperation is not about perfection—it is about direction. It is the decision to move toward God, to align our desire with His purpose, and to offer ourselves as instruments of His love and guidance.

When we choose to cooperate with God, we open the channels through which blessings, strength, and insight can flow. We stop trying to live life by our own limited understanding and instead allow God’s wisdom to shape our actions. This is why cooperation stands as the first and foundational lesson: it creates the ground upon which every other spiritual teaching can rest.

So the question that remains for each of us is simple:

Are we willing to work with God?

When we say yes—truly yes—everything else in the spiritual life begins to unfold.