When I was growing up, I loved to go to work with my dad.
I was surely no professional, but I was always invited along. To me it was just fun to spend time with my dad on the job together, doing whatever work needed to be done.
He would call me his gopher. Funny little name- I think about it now and it brings a smile to my face. I would often be tasked with going to grab a tool or even just doing the little things that, surely he could have done on his own, but there was something about participating in the work that gave me a sense of accomplishment, a purpose for that job.
I was happy to know that I took part in the work, and often times the “doing” resulted in me learning something or growing somehow or simply having the experience that would one day be built upon for another role I might be in.
In those things that were likely small to him – they were big to me – and I just loved being a part of it.
Recently, while praying, it hit me in a way that I’ve never had it do so before: my experience growing up going to work with my dad is strikingly similar to that which is an offer with my heavenly Father.
Contrary to what my fleshly pride would convince me of, He doesn’t need me to do anything.
He invites me along.
He has space for me, and I am always welcome.
He offers me opportunities to grow and to be challenged and to learn new things, and to do things alongside Him that, yes, He is fully capable and could totally do on His own – but in His kindness and love for me, He invites me in to be a part of the work.
FURTHERMORE…
When I was a little girl and on the job with my dad, I never had to worry about the outcome of the project.
It never once entered my mind that I needed to be to be concerned with or worried about what people would be thinking or if it was good enough or any of those things that can so easily entrap my adult mind sometimes.
All I had to do was do the best that I could with what I had, to be teachable, and simply remain there alongside my dad when we plugged away at the job together.
In the same way, when it comes to my work today, whether it is teaching or writing or praying for the hearts and minds of my kids, the truth is that I am not responsible for the outcome.
I can’t control the things that I can’t control.
I’m invited in to that sacred place of prayer that prepares my heart for what my role may be in the thing, but my role is never to control the outcome of the job.
That’s God‘s job…
I don’t know about you, but that takes a HUGE weight off my shoulders. I hope to be divinely reminded of these things when I want to pick up that weight again, in my flesh and forgetfulness…
But right now, I am celebrating the release and freedom that has come from this Word from Him… I hope it’s reminding you of His heart for you and your work, too!
AN ACCOMPANYING PRAYER:
