Like A Child

"He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them."
—Mark 10:14-16

Some of Jesus’ words require an extra step to understand. When he speaks of the kingdom of God like a farmer, or shepherd, we have to first understand those agricultural pictures before we grasp what he was saying. The above statement, however, does not.

Having just returned from Guatemala, one thing I learned from that trip is this: Children are children, no matter where you find them. Over time our culture shapes us into different people, but children have not yet been fully shaped by the culture. In children we see that we are all the same!

I had the great privilege of spending a great deal of time around the children of Guatemala. They are filled with joy and are not burdened by their living conditions. They are eager to participate, eager to play, and are not timid about asking for anything. They are courageous. They endure pain that is for their good (I witnessed one little girl in surgery not move a muscle or whine or cry out in pain. Only when it was finished did I notice quiet tears on her cheeks). The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Homework this week: Pray for the children of Guatemala, and America. May they retain those qualities that please God. Pray that we may remember what it means to be a child. That we would recapture those attitudes and behaviors that please God—Boldness, courage, joy, love, and kindness. Ask God to reveal the ways he wants you to receive the kingdom of God like a little child.

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