Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word. Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will. Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul. (Psalm 103: 20-22)

Does God need us? Does God need me?

For many - perhaps most - Christians the answer is no. The creator God of the universe is beyond need. God creates, judges, loves, redeems, and much more. But God is entirely self-sufficient. God does not need us.

This is our Greek heritage - especially Aristotle's unmoved mover - continuing a sometimes awkward dance with the Jewish origins of Christian faith.

At the heart of our Jewish origins is a mutuality of need. We need the blessing of God. God needs our blessing.

We must work together to make the world whole.

God's intention is advanced in partnership with Moses, Deborah, Isaiah, Esther, Jesus and so many others. In each case God invited and encouraged the partnership. In each case the human partner - often reluctantly - agreed to work with God.

May I choose to bless God in what I do today. May our work together help heal what is broken.

Above is Tikkun Olam by Avery Mazor.