SOP is an acronym for Standard Operating Procedure. It defines how an individual, business or team rolls. We all have them – from how you brush your teeth, hold a knife and fork, and button a shirt – to how you shoot a free-throw, swing a golf club, or fly a plane.

Jesus had a striking SOP for life that's worth noting. He plays out a few clues in John 5:30. Let's take a look.

NOTHING BY MYSELF: When Jesus said, "By Myself I can do nothing," Jesus wasn't admitting He was helpless or inept. He simply meant that His authority came from living in concert and alignment with His Father. His power came not from His independence, but from His dependence.

LISTEN WELL: The Lord of the universe is a committed listener. He who knows everything wants to be known for tuning in to others, especially One Other. How cool, how moving is that! He who judges all wants to understand before being understood, to listen before rendering judgment. As He does, His judgments turn out just and evaluations turn out right.

AUDIENCE OF ONE: Jesus said, in essence, that He marched to only one drumbeat, but it was not His own. His Sender was His only audience. His Sender's mission was all that mattered.

NOTHING BY MYSELF, LISTEN WELL, and AUDIENCE OF ONE were standard operating procedures for Jesus. How much of His has become yours?

A prayer to consider: Lord, I want my SOP to be like Jesus'. So keep me from going solo. Don't let me do life without You. Help me to listen more and seek to be heard less, and to reserve judgment until I have listened well. I want to be just in all my judgments. It's You I seek. And being sent by You into this world is my great pleasure. Amen.