Become Like A Child

 

 

The second night there we were conducting a service and God spoke to me through this child pictured here.  Her white dress symbolized purity, which is something I have been praying for in my heart. As I prayed for her, I felt the Lord whispering that He was going to teach me through the children this week.  He told me to pay attention and learn from them.  He reminded me of the verse in Matthew 18:3 that says, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” 

 

 

 

 

I want to share some of the things He taught me as I watched and interacted with the children pictured throughout this blog.  Children are pure and innocent.  Most of them have not yet been corrupted by the ways of this world. They have not been rejected and they feel loved and accepted.  They know how to love and they want to be loved.  I believe their purity allows them to see far more than I see in people right in front of my face.  Children are content.  They know how to be.  Usually when they are doing something, it is simply for fun.  I watched kids play the same game or build the same fort for hours on end.  There was no agenda or purpose.  They were making the most of what God had put in front of them and just hanging out.  They didn’t require much.  It was glorious.  Children are full of joy.  Have you ever noticed how easy it is to make a kid laugh or smile?  Why do we get so serious and focused when we grow up?  There is so much to be joyful and thankful for every moment of everyday and so often I miss it.  Children trust easily.  I believe this comes from their innocence.  They are not yet scarred and wounded.  They are curious and believe the best about people.  They believe people are for their good and they walk into that goodness.  It’s hard for me to trust sometimes and I know and have seen that God is for my good.  Children know they need help.  They realize they can’t do everything on their own and they aren’t afraid to ask for help.  There is no shame or guilt.  Pride, insecurities and fear don’t trip them up.  God tells us to ask and receive, but so often I hold back.  When will I let down my guard?

 

 

 

I understand more now why God wants us to become like children.  It takes faith like a child to trust God the way He wants us to.  For us to fully embrace His love we must rid ourselves of our independent, self-conscious mindsets.  I long to really understand the Cross, and the love the Father lavished upon us that day.  We are His children, I am His child, but I don’t usually live like it.  I am praying to become like a child.

 

 

 

 

 

The base we lived on in the bush was a safe haven for children.  They flocked here daily.  The grounds were swarming with kids, babies to teens, all day long.  Kumbu and Sandra understand the importance of investing in these kids and are choosing to believe God that they will be the generation to change this village.  They will be the ones to rise up as lovers of God and lovers of people and bring His kingdom to this place.  Will you join us in praying and believing God for these kids?  God is alive and at work in this place.  I saw people healed, I saw people confess that Jesus as Lord and I saw faithful servants loving these people where they were.  I have seen and I believe like a little kid that God is going to do big things in this place.