We all want to be part of something important. Some of us want to be the face of it. Others are fine with playing a minor role. We just want to know that what we do means something.

I remember loving working with Dad on things that he was doing. There was something about being invited into the world how he saw it; being there to accomplish something with him. Whether that was landscaping the backyard, fixing a pipe or setting up a new computer, it was always important.

There was also the security of being with him and learning from him. I had no cares but to do what he was doing. I didn’t have to pay for the fuel or worry about how the project was going to look in the end. I would follow his lead and help him realise his vision.

Jesus has the same connection with his Father.

“The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.”  - John 5:20

Seeing this parallel with our own natural fathers isn’t too surprising. God created family and it only makes sense that he would imprint his character on it.

What is surprising is that Jesus would invite us into the perfect relationship that he has with his father, as we see in Matthew 11:27.

“No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.”

Jesus opened up the way so that we might have an intimately close relationship with the ultimate Father. Not that we would be slaves to do his bidding, but that we would be friends who know his heart.

Once we’re ready to be with him, we’re ready to do with him. 

Not the other way around.

God doesn’t want us to become perfect before we approach him. In fact, we can’t. I’m just as broken as the next man out there. When we try to do this in our own strength we only get weighed down with burdens we were never made to carry. God created us to be free in his love and to revel being with him. As we spend time with him, we learn more about what makes him who he is. We see the heart he has for people and as we learn how he loves, we can’t help but love in the same way.

What’s even more awesome is God invites us into his story! Just like Dad inviting me into what he’s doing around the house, Jesus opens the door to the world and asks us to join him as he does his Father’s work! He gives us each a role to play in the ultimate story! We know it’s important because he is important.

That’s something I can get behind. Will you join me?