My Child...
Matthew
18:1-4
1 At that time
the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest
in the kingdom of heaven?" 2
He called a little child and had him stand among them.
3 And he said: "I tell you
the truth, unless you change and become like little children,
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is
the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(NIV Bible)
In this scripture passage, Jesus calls us to become like
little children. The call isn't to be childish, but to
simply be child like. Young children know that they are
needy. They look to their parents to provide everything
that they need and want...food, clothing, shelter, teaching,
activities, guidance and even discipline. They are like
love sponges, having the capacity to soak into their little
bodies as much love as we can give them. They live for
hugs and kisses and meaningful touch, an intimate connection
that affirms them and tells them that they are welcome
into this world and that they are greatly loved.
Jesus calls us to become like little children. Since Jesus
says that becoming child-like is a pre-requisite to entering
the Kingdom of Heaven, we should take note of another
characteristic of a little child. Simple faith. Little
children have the faith to simply believe that they will
receive what they need when they need it. They don't worry
about it, they don't strive over it, they simply expect
it.
When my youngest daughter Candice, was very small, she
was completely confident that I had an unlimited supply
of personal finances for her to draw from. Whenever she
wanted something extravagant, she would tell me just to
go to the bank and get the money, because they had lots.
"Just go to the bank dad" she would say. I think
in some ways that God wants us to relate to him like my
daughter, Candice related to me.
No worries, no striving, just complete confidence in the
ability of her father to meet her needs. While my little
girl did not always get what she wanted when she wanted
it, I couldn't help but to delight in her boldness and
her complete trust in me. As you read this devotional,
my challenge to you is to simply let yourself become very
little. The expectations in the world we live in are often
to be very grown up. While maturity and responsibility
are wonderful attributes, for a moment, set aside the
strong, self-sufficient, independent you and allow yourself
to become very small and needy before God.
He wants to pick you up, give you a hug, and whisper your
name in your ear. You are his child, and he is your Father.
This is your destiny, this is what you were created for.
When you let Him love you in this way, as a father loves
his little child, you will begin to realize that you are
still a love sponge, and the need for love and affirmation
that you had as a little child is still there within you.
When we allow ourselves to be embraced by God, we begin
to see that this is what we have been looking for all
our lives. We may have searched for it in careers, relationships,
and in many others things, but we only find it in one
place…the arms of our Heavenly Father.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I pray that you would give me the
grace to become more childlike. I want to walk in the
simplicity of faith that allows me to trust you wholeheartedly
for all my needs. I want all that is within me to cry
out Abba Father just like Jesus did. In the name of Your
beloved Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
