Matthew 18:1-5
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and
asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child and had him stand
among them.
“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.”
I don’t know her name.
I don’t know how old she is or what she dreams about. I’m not sure if she fights with her brothers
and sisters… I don’t know if she has brothers or sisters.
I don’t know if her parents have told her
about a man named Jesus. I don’t know if
she would recognize a “good Christian” if she met one. I don’t think the term “Christian” would mean
anything to her if she did.
I do know that pulling up to her remote village in the
middle of Mozambique
filled my heart with a burden to pray more for those that the world has
forsaken.
Watching the team unload a
truck filled with 120 lb. sacks of food, I sat back wondering how my life could
be so sheltered from the need that was slapping me in the face.
Crouching down to her level, I looked into her heavy eyes
and wondered if it were possible for her to feel the fullness of the love that
I have for her in my heart. She couldn’t
be more than 3 years old, but her face bore the worry lines of a 60 year old
woman.
I stretched out my arms and
lifted her into my lap. Within minutes
her heavy eyelids slid shut as she rested in my arms.
As her dusty feet dangled in the breeze, the Lord spoke
softly to my heart…
It matters little if
you build great buildings to worship me in.
You can debate your theology and try to figure your life out.
You can achieve great success in the eyes of
man, but it means little if you can’t reach out to love those that mean the
most to me.
I allowed a few stray tears to fall down on this sweet child
who rested with me and in that moment I felt a piece of my Father’s heart. Will I ever grasp how much my Father loves
me? Will I ever comprehend the love that
He has for others? Will I ever realize
that His love is being manifested through me?
“A father is delighted when his little one, leaving off her
toys and friends, runs to him and climbs into his arms. As he holds his little one close to him, he
cares little whether the child is looking around, her attention flitting from
one thing to another, or just settling down to sleep.
“Essentially, the child is choosing to be with
her father, confident of the love, the care, the security that is hers in those
arms. Our prayer is much like that. We settle down in our Father’s arms, in his
loving hands.
“Our mind, our thoughts,
our imagination may flit about here and there; we may even fall asleep; but
essentially we are choosing for this time to remain intimately with our Father,
giving ourselves to him, receiving his love and care, letting him enjoy us as
he will.
“It is very simple prayer. It is prayer that opens us out to all the
delights of the kingdom.”
-The Ragamuffin
Gospel
