We live in a society that often asks “what can God do for me?” But rarely is it asked “what can I do for God?” This has left us with a culture in the Church that is full of consumers rather than producers. Let’s face it, we have raised a generation in the Church that would rather be entertained than do work. I’ve heard countless stories of local churches that struggle to find volunteers to do the ministry that they are called to do, and it breaks my heart. If the mission of the Church is rob”equip the saints for minsitry,” his do we buck this trend? What message can be preached that will rekindle the fire that is felt upon conversion?
Christians often refer to God as our “Heavenly Father,” but do we really view Him as a father? A (good) father delights in the affection and efforts of his children. A (good) father is willing to give up everything in order to lift up his children. A (good) father’s number one reason for existence is to provide and to protect his children. Do we view God in this way? Do we view Him as a Father who sacrificed everything in order that we may find eternal life? Do we view God as our Father who desires and deserves our love and devotion?
You may be asking what this all has to do with the title of this post, and I promise I will get there, but first, imagine this picture. A man is at his workbench building a birdhouse when his child comes up and offers to help. Would a good father turn down his child’s offer even if it would be easier for him to do it all himself? I have thought long and hard about what we as children of God can give to our Heavenly Father, and I have come up with one answer – empty hands. With empty hands (and a willing spirit), God would be more than delighted to include us in His handiwork. Why do we feel the need to make it more complicated than this?
I believe this is part of what Jesus meant when He said we should be more like children. We should be running to our Heavenly Father begging Him to include us in what He is doing. We should be so desperate for His affection that we can’t take our eyes off Him because of our wonder and awe of who He is. I know I don’t always look at God that way, but imagine for a second what the Church would look like if we all did. This is my challenge to myself and to anyone reading this – let us each grow to become obedient and devoted children of the Almighty God.
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What Can We Give to an Almighty God?
We live in a society that often asks “what can God do for me?” But rarely is it asked “what can I do for God?” This has left us with a culture in the Church that is full of consumers rather than producers. Let’s face it, we have raised a generation in the Church that would rather be entertained than do work. I’ve heard countless stories of local churches that struggle to find volunteers to do the ministry that they are called to do, and it breaks my heart. If the mission of the Church is rob”equip the saints for minsitry,” his do we buck this trend? What message can be preached that will rekindle the fire that is felt upon conversion?
Christians often refer to God as our “Heavenly Father,” but do we really view Him as a father? A (good) father delights in the affection and efforts of his children. A (good) father is willing to give up everything in order to lift up his children. A (good) father’s number one reason for existence is to provide and to protect his children. Do we view God in this way? Do we view Him as a Father who sacrificed everything in order that we may find eternal life? Do we view God as our Father who desires and deserves our love and devotion?
You may be asking what this all has to do with the title of this post, and I promise I will get there, but first, imagine this picture. A man is at his workbench building a birdhouse when his child comes up and offers to help. Would a good father turn down his child’s offer even if it would be easier for him to do it all himself? I have thought long and hard about what we as children of God can give to our Heavenly Father, and I have come up with one answer – empty hands. With empty hands (and a willing spirit), God would be more than delighted to include us in His handiwork. Why do we feel the need to make it more complicated than this?
I believe this is part of what Jesus meant when He said we should be more like children. We should be running to our Heavenly Father begging Him to include us in what He is doing. We should be so desperate for His affection that we can’t take our eyes off Him because of our wonder and awe of who He is. I know I don’t always look at God that way, but imagine for a second what the Church would look like if we all did. This is my challenge to myself and to anyone reading this – let us each grow to become obedient and devoted children of the Almighty God.
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