Self part 5
To end this Rant series I want to go back to where I started it. Jesus saying, "I can do nothing of my own self." To me that's so powerful. Because even Jesus Himself, God in the flesh, didn't try to do anything on His own. Let me say it another way, "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise" (John 5:19). And, look, Jesus said this a few chapters later: "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). So I'm not trying to put any distance between the Father and Son. Its the same God. The same light. The same love. And that's the point. When we try to rely on "ourselves" we are creating a separation that doesn't exist. The only way to truly experience life is to "live Jesus' life." And I put that in quotes because the only way to live Jesus' life is to let HIM live His own life in us, and through us, and as us. So let's take this idea of "I can only do what I see my Father do" to the next level. Let's say, "In earth as it is in heaven." Let's understand that we see the Father doing things... in us. Through us. As us. Its not about trying to copy and paste. Its not about trying to follow in Jesus' foot steps. Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12). We aren't supposed to be carbon copies. I've never been to a wedding that ran out of wine and been put in a position to turn water into wine. But greater works than these... giving a drink to someone who was thirsty? I did that today. Its not about the actual act. Its about the Spirit (of love) behind the act. Love in action is charity. And that's what happens when we shift from selfish to selfless. When we stop being self-centered and start being Christ-centered. Which means people-centered. Or, even better yet, when we understand that focusing on self IS focusing on others. Because we are all different parts of the same body. We're all in this together. The tide raises all ships. If I put someone down to make myself look better... what I've really done is hurt them AND myself. But if I lift someone up--not of my own power, but by the power of God (of love) that lives in me... then I've really done something. Edifying others. Esteeming others higher than ourselves. Putting others first. Sounds like what a parent does. The heavenly Father, first and foremost, and then us taking a parental pride and responsibility in and for each other. If I've got your back, and you've got my back, neither one of us has to look behind us. We can both go upward and God-ward. Together. Remember the old saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far... go together." We need each other. Its not good for man to be alone. Not even the Son of man. He was totally and completely dependent on His Father. But not in a childish way where He couldn't do anything. In a child-like way where He trusted His Father to help Him do what needed to be done. So see what the Father is doing... by looking at things with His eyes. DO what the Father is doing by letting Him do it in you, and through you, and as you!