Posted on: 28th May 2025

"Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing..." - John 5:19

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like I’m just guessing my way through life — especially when it comes to knowing what God wants me to do.

That’s why I keep coming back to this curious statement from Jesus in John 5:19. “I only do what I see my Father doing.” Not ‘some’ of what the Father does. Not ‘when it’s convenient’. ‘Only’ what He sees the Father doing. 

That level of clarity, confidence, and closeness — is inspiring. And honestly, it’s a bit intimidating. But more than anything, it’s an invitation.

Jesus is showing us what it looks like to live in sync with God. Amazingly, as His followers, we’re invited to live the same way.

Think of it like this: Jesus lived like a mirror. Whatever the Father did, He reflected. No delay, no distortion. Just a clear, consistent picture of God’s heart on display.

That’s the image that helps me. I’m not trying to manufacture holiness on my own — I’m meant to mirror it. To stay close enough to the Father that my life begins to reflect His ways.

So, how do we see what the Father is doing? For me, it starts with prayer - and not the rushed, checklist kind of prayer. I mean honest, open, slow-down-and-listen prayer. When I actually sit in silence with God (and in solitude, I honestly can!), I begin to notice what I normally miss: nudges toward compassion, reminders of truth, gentle prompts to reach out or slow down. 

Then there’s scripture. By increasingly immersing myself in God’s Word, the clearer His voice becomes. It’s like adjusting the focus on a camera lens — suddenly, I can see how His story connects with my everyday choices.

And maybe the hardest part of all… Stillness. I’m not great at it. But every time I resist the urge to rush, I’m reminded that God often moves most powerfully in the quiet moments. Like a farmer watches for signs of growth, we’re called to watch for signs of grace.

Jesus didn’t live from pressure — He lived from presence. That’s the difference. He wasn’t performing for approval; He was walking in partnership.

That’s what I want too.

So, here’s my prayer for us all: “Lord, help me see what You’re doing today… In my conversations; in my busy schedule; and in the interruptions I usually ignore, give me the courage to join You, even when it’s uncomfortable.

We are invited to live like mirrors — not makers of our own mission, but reflectors of God’s mercy, moving when He moves.

So, let’s all take a moment. Look at what is around us and the situation we find ourselves in. Listen to God’s invitation, find his heart and response. And then — like Jesus — respond by doing as our Father is doing.

By Liz Harden, Lighthouse West Yorkshire.