Day 23: Children

I hope you enjoyed yesterday's day of rest. I know I did!
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And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." (Matthew 18:3-5, NIV)

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:13-15, NIV)

I'm currently in the process of becoming a volunteer in the children's ministry at my church. There is a lot of red tape to go through in today's unforgiving world, and I can't blame them. There are background checks, reference forms, and training. But I think it's worth it.

I love interacting with little children. They are the most accepting, loving people in the whole world. All they want is someone to love them and play with them; they aren't blinded by prejudices, judgmental, or tied down to being 'mature.' They love to play and laugh and are simply who they are, not trying to be something they are not.

Children are also needy. We call them 'children' for a reason, they are dependent on their caregivers to provide for them. They do not work for their own food and money and they need someone to teach them the "whys" and the "hows" of life and the world around them.

It is clear from scripture that God loves children. He asks us to look after the orphans and the widows. And when the disciples try to prevent the children from coming to see Jesus, he disciplines them and insists on seeing the children and blessing them. And then he gives his disciples a perplexing command. In order to receive the kingdom of heaven, you must become like a child. Pretty strange, right?

I think Jesus is speaking to the beautiful simplicity of what being a Christ follower is all about. We don't have to be spectacular paradigms of morality, "mature" people of righteousness, we must merely be as a child: humble, loving, accepting, and even needy.

I suppose it is easy to forget that we are not, and cannot be, self sufficient for our daily lives as Christ followers. We need the power, direction, and support of God to get us through our temptations, struggles, and decisions every day. Our natural inclination is not to do this, and it is only by the grace of God that we are able to follow His direction at all.

So let's step off the pedestal for a moment and try to be a little more like children in our faith. We have a lot of "whys?" and God has the answers and he will reveal them in time. But for now, we know that God loves us and will provide for us and that is enough for me to get through.

See you tomorrow.