Father, may i?

Do you remember the classic childhood game, "Father may I?". The game is set up as one person acting as the "Father". While the "Father" is at the finish line facing away from the group, all the other players that are playing are the "children" standing shoulder to shoulder right at the start of line. The first child who gets to where the Father is, wins.

The way this game works is each player "each child" takes turns in asking the Father permission and stepping forward. For example, "Father, may I take two steps forward?" The Father could either say, "Yes, you may" or "No, you may not do that, but you may take a step back instead" and gives his recommendation. If the Father makes a suggestion that the child doesn't like, the child is still required to oblige. If the child forgets to ask "Father, May I?", they must go all the way to the start up line again.

One lesson we learned from this game is the concept of permission versus ability. We've all been granted free will and the ability to do what we want, which is one of life's greatest gifts. However, being able to do something and asking permission entail two different dispositions. One requires you to surrender your opinion and adhere while the other focuses on yourself – your own strength and ability to complete it. We should never be so presumptuous in thinking it's our time to move forward. When we omit asking, we omit information of wisdom, instructions, and guidance that's connected to the ask.

If the Father says, take two steps back it might be because He needs you not to rush. If He says be still and lay down, He may want you to pray and quiet the noise around you or rest and seek His presence until He gives you the greenlight. When we miss lessons in life, we go back to the starting line, not for punishment, but to learn the lesson. It's not because He's a mean Father and prefers other children over you but because He loves you, has a plan for you and knows your expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).

I think of how many times we do things because we can but overlook asking permission from Our Heavenly Father. We go about our days, plan our schedules, make decisions on our own ability, RSVP to events and so on because we can. Just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean it's in your best interest to do it. it requires humility and saying yes to the Father and doing what He says without complaining.

First things first, we must take a step back and bow our opinion toward the Father Above before planning any moves. It may look like it's good, but might not be the season for it, which could result in taking you on a different path you are not ready for or equipped to handle. On the other hand, when we ask for permission it's first of all polite, and we can never lose because the direction from the Father always results in a win (even if it doesn't look like your winning). Anytime we obey Him, we shouldn't question it because in the final outcome, it is good.

Father, May I? is a trust exercise more than a faith one. Faith requires you to have a conviction and belief with action whereas trust demands a relinquishing of all control and self opinions, with total reliance upon listening to His voice. We trust relying on Him, not our own understanding, to direct our paths and in doing so He will smoothen them and bring us to the finish line.

So, before we go about our daily lives doing things we think are good and great – let's remember to ask permission for His blessing upon taking any steps moving forward. Let's enter the kingdom like a child - pure, humble, and asking innocently.

Father, May I?

"I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self – your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3 AMP