Little Children
“What do you aspire to be when you grow up?”, I asked a group of my dear elementary mentee babies. Of course I was met with a variety of responses but one would be revelational. “I want to be a billionaire!” One of my charming third graders responded. “Yes, but how? What career will help you attain this?” Ya’ll… The smile that spread across my face when she answered, “Jesus will give it to me.” I could’ve fell to the floor! But instead I shouted, “amen!” -In a very public school by the way. Her faith made me light me up inside. That one simple answer made me proud of her, her momma and most of all it ignited my awe of God. How He could use an energized, busy body, overly talkative third grader to minister and remind me -at my big age, that all things are possible with God.
As adults, from time to time we tend to complicate this life long walk and our relation to God. But the journey is as simple as baby girl’s answer… “Jesus will give it to me”. Or even more plain: Jesus. No wonder why the Word urges us to become like little children. Humble, inquisitive, dependent, extremely trusting, apologetic, forgiving, loving, transparent and simple. All of which are childlike attributes that would serve us well to mimic in our own relationship with the Lord. Furthermore, we can understand that this was not just a passive suggestion, but an urging that would reveal eternal impact.
Matthew 18:3-4, The Passion Translation, says it like this:
3 “Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable like a little child , you will never be able to enter in. “
4 “Whoever continually humbles himself to become like this little child is the greatest one in heaven’s kingdom realm.”
See, Jewish society back then differs from our Western society now. A child did not possess much relevance, was subjected to their elder’s authority and was looked after rather than being looked up to. But Jesus, in His distinctiveness, changes this trajectory and instead makes childlikeness a standard for us. Much of our problem is that we seek or desire to be of importance in the eyes of man and even self. So much so, that our actions are driven by how we want to be perceived or known, instead of resting in who God says we are; inevitably operating in that. But just as little children were fully aware of their positions under the authority of their overseer(s), so we should be living a life which reflects our God-awareness. Not that we outwardly think that we are God. However, if we’re being real; our strive towards perfection, our avoidance towards weakness and our despising of dependency; speaks volumes.
We never see little children waiting until everything seems perfect before attempting to walk. They just go for it. Even after countless falls and tumbles; they cry for a while and try again, relying on the encouragement and open arms of their parent. When they’re tired, they rest. When they’re hungry, they ask for sustenance. When they don’t quite understand, they inquire. When they’re hurt, they cry with the tears God blessed them with. The very tears that He bottles and interprets as prayers. When they’re scared of the dark, they vulnerably call out for their caretaker, trusting them to provide safety so that their little souls can rest until light comes. Little children understand that their weaknesses and limitations are not hinderances, rather they are opportunities to rely on someone greater than them. How often do we take this perspective?
Though our upbringings bear a slew of different circumstances and experiences which shape our perspectives; one thing stands true. We will never stop being God’s dearly beloved daughters. The Word calls us His masterpiece, a child of God, free indeed, chosen, wanted, greatly loved and the list goes on. These, plus an array of other great things God labeled us; became our identity when we got saved by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. God did not wait until we got everything right to call us loved and worthy. He predestined us beforehand so that all we’d need to do is walk in it, knowing that even when we fall, like little toddlers; He’s there to pick us up as our good Father.
And Jesus is our perfect Savior. He did not defeat death, hell and the grave for us to neglect His help, love and care. He doesn’t offer us grace for us to go out and be little miss “I have it all figured out.” Only in Christ, can we do all things. If perfection were a standard that could be attained, we wouldn’t need God. And sister girl, we need Him in every single area, every single day! It is our awareness of who we are in Christ that helps us to operate like little children. Nothing to prove to the world, no pride. Just as content and joyous as can be while clinging to our Overseer. And this awareness of how deeply loved we are by our Father also gives us power. This knowledge of His authority and His loves drives us to an unspeakably blessed assurance. The kind that my charismatic, faith filled third grade mentee had.
God invites us to be like her, a little child. Let’s accept His wise counsel to humble ourselves today, admitting that sometimes we haven’t a clue about the how while finding assurance in knowing the Who. Because that my good sis, is worth more than a billion bucks!
Let’s Pray:
Our loving Father, we thank You for identifying us as Your beloved children. No matter what age or what stage of life we find ourselves, help us to cling to our adoption into Your family. Forgive us for the times when we’ve allowed our experiences to blur our knowledge of Who You are. Help us to live in our daughtership despite our often skewed perceptions. That because You are the Perfect Father, we can trust You to teach, lead, love, heal, restore, deliver, redeem, protect, sustain, enlighten, and take care of us how You know we need it. Help us to become more childlike and humble, Lord that we may be apart of those who inherit the Kingdom of heaven. Help us to be content and deliver us of any pride. Finally, may the revelation of Your limitless love and power ignite our faith despite our own limitations. We admit that we can do nothing in our own strength, but with You ALL things are possible. Thank You Jesus! In Your powerful name, amen.
