See and Do

Having 2 little boys, I'm constantly reminded by friends, "Remember, kids are sponges, be careful what you say/do around them," a kind warning that my kids are going to pick up and then imitate my behavior. I'm sure they're referring to my language, as I've worked in the hospitality industry for close to a decade now, and it can imitate that of a sailor if I've done long days at work. Usually I see this principle in action when my toddler points and says, "Nooo" in his cute little voice, mimicking the same motion and facial expression I use when I'm telling him he can't do something, but last week, I saw it unexpectedly and it was really cute. My kids and I were snuggling on my bed, and my 3 year old said, "Mama, blow on my tummy!" I gladly obliged and as I was starting to sit up, my 15 month old promptly lifted up my shirt and blew on mine. I could not stop laughing, and neither could they.

Those smiles are dead give-aways He's definitely my son.

Like my little ones take joy mimicking me, Jesus also mimicked His Father's behavior, as illustrated in John 5, when an explanation given for His miraculous works was, "My Father is always working, and I too am working... I only do what I see the Father doing." (John 5:17,19-20) Who knew the principle of "monkey see, monkey do" was a universal one? Later, Jesus ups the ante of this principle when He says anyone who believes in Him will do the same, and even greater works than these. (John 14:12) Most of us would respond, "Wait, what?" Where does this expectation come from?

Children take the actions of the adults in their lives as license. Explicit permission, if not a map, to how one should act, speak, and live. When Jesus confidently states that we will do the same work He's doing, He equates us as sons and daughters of God, just like Him, and supposing that as we have imitated our Earthly mothers and fathers, we will also imitate our Heavenly Father.

So why does replicating the works of Jesus seem so outlandish?

First, we don't understand what Jesus meant when he told us to address God as "our Father." We don't understand what Paul was talking about when he discusses the spirit of adoption through which we were brought close to God and calls us co-heirs with Christ. (Romans 8) Because we miss these, we don't see that the same permission that was given to Jesus has now been given to us. If you struggle with this, check out You're The Best where I talk about how to root ourselves in the identity the Word says we have.

Secondly, we have heard from our parents and many other adults, "Do as I say, not as I do." We are met with active disapproval in regards to imitating them and given excuses that their behaviors are "adult." By copying them, we find ourselves in trouble. In that sense, it's no wonder why we see even things we think ourselves gifted in put on the shelf for later, when we're more "mature," or "wise." We wouldn't want to do something considered "out of our league."

Both of these are meant to strip us of our identity and our effectiveness, rendering us powerless and stealing the glory of God before it even gets a chance to be displayed. 

It's in our nature to copy our caregivers, and if we're to take what Jesus said seriously, anything you have seen the Father do, you are free to imitate. That means if grace has been poured out in your life, you have been given license to practice and teach grace in other's lives. If you have experienced healing, you have been given license to anoint and pray for the sick. If you have had provision fall out of the sky on your behalf, you have license to intercede for and bless others with the same favor you have received. If you have been set free from sin or addiction, you have been given license to proclaim freedom to captives. And the list goes on...

If you have been waiting for an invitation, a word, a sign, to become more involved in the work of the Kingdom, consider this it. You don't need to be an accredited minister to be a catalyst for the good work of our Father. God does not show you things just so that you would be amazed, but in hopes that the principle of seeing and doing would create a curiosity in your heart to mimic your Father, and see what comes of it. John, in chapter 21, said that the works of Jesus were so numerous that if written down, all the libraries of the world would be filled just by their accounts. He only imitated the Father, who now encourages you to do the same.