Kids say the darndest things, don’t they?
And, they can be so needy.
And, no matter how much you bathe them, there’s usually some kind of smell coming from somewhere.
Kids get excited about the silliest things.
They require so much attention.
They can be stubborn. Disobedient. Petty.
I am one of them.
Kids are just so full of life and energy.
Kids accept things so easily with nothing more than faith and belief.
They bring laughter when there is no hope.
And tenderness to the most hardened of hearts.
They rejoice in the simple things.
And give love freely.
Kids absorb new things like sponges and grow like weeds.
Kids are fun and creative.
And they have a confident expectation that their needs will be met though they themselves are helpless.
I want to be more like them.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” –Mark 10:14-15
I want to preach.
It’s one of my favorite things to do.
I want to explain what all this means and give some encouraging and challenging words about how we are to receive the kingdom of God like children.
But I can’t.
Because the Lord showed me I’m still learning and don’t have it down quite yet.
Here’s my journal entry dated February 9 from Bogor, Indonesia.
Reading Mark 10.
Me: Jesus, as I read, you’re highlighting the concepts of hardened hearts… Is this me? … Your creational intent… and legalism vs. receiving the kingdom of God like a child.
Jesus, do I receive your kingdom like a child?
God: How do you think a child would receive it?
Me: Awe, humility, gratitude, fun, confident expectation…
God: A child does not wonder where her needs are going to be met or where her help comes from. As a child, your mom called you her little bird because you would sit with your mouth open ready for food, always knowing it was going to come. You have always loved your food and never questioned where it was going to come from. Take that posture with me. Open your mouth; sure, certain, expectant that I’m going to nourish you and even when you get some, chew and open back up for more.
Me: Keep my mouth open to you, God, always ready for your food, good or bad.
So, that’s my prayer and something the Lord is working on in me right now. I want to become more like a child so I can receive the kingdom of God the way the Lord intended.
