I recently had a job task to complete.  I have done this particular job task before without others' help. Sometimes I seek outside help for this task, when the circumstances seem more complex.  Since I was feeling insecure about a decision involved, I sought help this time.  I asked my assistant to send a certain document to one other staff member to obtain additional insights.  This staff member came to my desk shortly after, and started asking me questions about the document.  This was not one of my "usual" staff helpers. This "poking" with questions somehow intensified my already insecure feelings.  Thankfully, even in my most defensive moment, God allowed me to pause and wonder, "Maybe this staff member is exactly whom He chose to offer me wisdom and help."  As God often does, this was a different kind of help than I expected.  The Holy Spirit allowed me to receive this person's input, without defensiveness, and take action on their suggestions.  There was a new sense of, "God is protecting me through this wise council." 

So often I want to get things done, to move things forward, to make progress.   I can view the community as a weight or obstacle that slows the progress down.  The truth is, God rescues me many times from my impatient impulses, when I want to complete things quickly.  He intercedes by using His people in my life.  I am grateful for His Power that can cut through my defensiveness.  I am grateful that the Holy Spirit taps on my resistant places.  He uses His community of believers to protect me from my own foolish ways, to transform my thoughts and actions.  Doing life with God means doing life with the people of His community.