Nothing without God

"By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me." John 5:30

These are the words of Jesus. He was responding to the Jews' (His people) accusations of Him not observing the Sabbath and calling Himself the Son of God. Jesus acknowledged the fact the He was God's Son, was sent to do God's work, and that He didn't work without God.

One theme in this chapter is the fact that we can do nothing without God. So, when I'm high on life and feelin' myself because of some minor or major accomplishment, this scripture serves to remind me that without God, I can do nothing. For it is God who gives gifts. God provides strength. God assigns talents. God has the vision and simply uses me as a tool to accomplish the work He purposed for me. This passage helps deflate a bloated head. It reminds me to stay humble.

"...The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can only do what He sees his father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." John 5:19

For me, as a parent another theme that seems to resonate throughout the fifth chapter of John is the parent/child relationship. Jesus says He does what He sees His Father (God) doing. This reminds me that I have to be mindful of my behavior and the words I speak around my children because they are watching me and will emulate the way I behave, treat others, and speak.

One dynamic of the parent/child relationship is the child's seemingly natural desire to please their parents. Children need their parents' approval to help validate them, it shapes their self-esteem, and encourages them. Most children will do whatever it takes to hear their mom and dad say "good job, I'm so proud of you." I don't think kids ever really outgrow the need and desire to please their parents. I certainly haven't. When I accomplish a goal or do something I think is pretty awesome, my mom is usually one of the first persons I call. When I make choices that I know disappoint my mom, I feel horrible and ashamed and hope she doesn't find out. I think in some ways, our natural desire to please our parents is similar to our spiritual desire to please our Heavenly Father.

As great as it feels to indulge self, Jesus reminds us that our goal should be to please God our Father. The moment we get caught up in ourselves, we begin to forget that our goal should be to please God. When we are not pleasing God we are pleasing ourselves. When we are pleasing ourselves, we indulge our flesh which makes us more susceptible to temptation and eventually to sin. Here's how I see it: if we strive to please God in everything we do, we will push ourselves to to the very best we can...in everything. If we do the very best we can do in every area of our lives, it can only lead to eventual success. Whether in our families, the workplace, our friendships, churches or schools, if our ultimate goal is to please God, then we have no choice but to put forth our best effort. Here's what's awesome~as we please God, not only do we feel good, but He'll bless us too. When my daughters do something that makes me proud, one of my first inclinations is to reward them for their effort. If we mere mortal people want to reward our children when they please us, can you imagine how much more our God desires to reward us when we seek to please Him and do His will? I can't even fathom what it'll be like when I meet my Father in Heaven, and he says to me "well done, my good and faithful servant."