Before Jesus healed a single sick person, He stood in the Jordan River. He had not turned water into wine. He had not multiplied bread to feed the hungry. He had not preached a sermon to the multitudes. He had performed zero miracles.

Yet, when He came out of the water, the heavens opened, and the Father spoke.


"And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'"Matthew 3:17 (NKJV)

Jesus did not work for His Father's approval. He worked from His Father's approval. He lived as a man on earth, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, to show us the pattern of sonship. He did not need to prove His identity through His performance because His identity was already secure in the Father's voice.

We often do the opposite in our families and our work. We push our children to perform, tying our approval to their grades or achievements. We do the same with our relationship with God, thinking He only loves us when we succeed. But God offers you His approval at the starting line, not the finish line. He affirms you as His child before you do anything for Him.

God's approval is the starting point of your work, not the reward for it.