To establish a garden, take what God has created and nurture it. God has given us the earth. Prepare the soil, dig holes, place the plants in the ground, and gently cover them up. God has given us water. Saturate the roots with the water. God provides the sunshine to feed the plants. Make sure your plants receive the proper amount of light. God waters the garden with rain. Make sure the garden drains properly. During dry periods, water the plants with what God has already given. The plants will grow as God has designed them. Fertilize, weed, and prune them to promote growth. Collect the harvest, give thanks to God, and enjoy your food. A garden offers an image of synergy, that is, God working together with us for our own benefit.
Physical therapy requires synergy between two human beings. The patient in therapy must consent to the therapy and use his energy to participate in the work. The therapist uses her energy alongside the patient, supporting him, strengthening him, and helping him in his effort so that he will heal and recover his own strength.
God desires to heal and transform you by participation in His Grace. Self-effort alone will never take you far enough. You need to use your created energy to do your part in cooperation with God’s Uncreated Energy at work within you. This is synergy.
God has called you to participate in salvation. He has created you with the free will to choose whether or not to respond to His invitation. By aligning your will with God’s will, by living a virtuous life according to His instruction, and by your effort to pray and repent, you open your heart to the Divine Grace. When you turn away from sin and focus the attention of your heart on Christ, you invite God’s Presence into your soul and give Him permission to work in you.
Read: Philippians 2.12-13; 4.13; 2 Corinthians 12.1-10
Text copyright © 2018 by Fr. Symeon D. S. Kees