I think I lose about 15 years off of my age when I get around kids. I suddenly become an energetic 10-year old again and all I want to do is run around and play. So when we had an opportunity to help run a weekly kids program in a poor neighborhood this week, I think I was more like one of the kids than a helper.
The kids started flocking to us as soon as we showed up. We were given hugs, our hands were grasped, and we skipped, ran, and laughed on our way to the park. We listened as Tía Gilma had the kids sing songs (including Father Abraham in Spanish!) and Thomas told the story about David and Goliath. As soon as we were allowed to go play, we all ran to the fountain where we started splashing while shrieks of delight and squeals of laughter filled the air.
Throughout the afternoon, we played a pretty fierce game of soccer, chased the kids around, and almost threw up from so many kids wanting to be spun around by their arms. We had tickle fights and photo shoots and always, constantly had children clamoring to be near us all.
Perhaps this is cliché, but I started to think about the last time I allowed myself to be a kid again. Not just physically, but spiritually. Lately, I’ve been praying for the Lord to teach me, to give me understanding and wisdom, and to go deeper into my relationship with Him. I’ve been striving after maturity, forgetting that Jesus tells us in His Word that we must be like children.
There is a game that I’ve played with kids in Afghanistan, Ghana, England, and Guatemala. It’s the game when children run away, knowing that you’re chasing them. And when you catch them, you wrap your arms around them and shower them with affection. I have the same assurance as a child of God that when I run, Jesus is pursuing me. And when we meet, He throws His arms around me and pours out His love and affection for me.
If coming to Jesus like a child means splashing wildly in the Fountain of Living Water, if it means climbing all over Jesus and grasping His hand, if it means piling around Him to listen to Him when He speaks, then may I be a child forever!
“ ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’ “ Luke 18:16-17 (NLT)
