As we continue on our trek through the New Testament, I can’t help but wonder how everyone is doing. My expectation is that some are doing great, right on schedule and looking forward to tomorrow’s reading, everyday. I also assume that some are a bit behind, maybe struggling with keeping right on schedule, but they know they can do it and will keep plugging along. Then, I am sure, that there are others who see the bus pulling away from them with no prospect of catching up within the time frame.
Well if you are the latter, don’t give up. Read as much as you can. The goal is to be in the word of God every day, even if you can’t get through the day’s reading. It is worth it even if you only do a portion. Just look at the picture of this baby. She doesn’t know about all the trials that life brings and she still looks delighted (even with a plastic bowl on her head). So keep going. I’ll pray for you…I promise.
Speaking of kids, today’s reading really spoke to me about the tender nature of kids and their ability to look at the world with trusting eyes. So…
Here is my thought on today’s reading.
Jesus says in our section today, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
I read this and it causes me to really think about what Jesus was getting at. What did He mean when He said, “Unless you change”? Most of us want to change for the better. We obsess on our wardrobe being in style, our body weight being just right, our hair either in its place or, like some, way out of place (on purpose and GQ). All you have to do is look at the products that are being sold to make us progressively better, changing us into the well dressed, groomed, sweet smelling person of success.
But I wonder if what Jesus was really saying was that we need to change to another time and temperament. He may have given us a clue by adding the phrase, “And become like little children.” What about little kids? What do they have that we don’t have?
Look at the picture of that cute little girl (she is my granddaughter, if you want to know). She has a diaper on. She has no shoes on. She is laying on a rug with only a t-shirt on. For her style statement, she is sporting a binky in her mouth and an elegant hat couture by Cool Whip. This kid is happy, active and, most importantly, trusting. She is trusting her grandpa and grandma. She trusts her mom, her uncles and aunt. She knows no fear of anyone who might be around her. She flat out trusts the world and all that is in it.
Now what Jesus might have been saying is that if we cannot get to a place in this world, where we can trust where God has placed us, what He may have given us as provision and trust Him completely in all other areas (just like a kid), then we are not fit for the kingdom that He has established. I think that Jesus is trying to tell us that a kingdom life is a simple, clear and trusting life. It is a life that reflects the preciousness of a kid with a Cool Whip tub on their head (and not worrying about it). It is a trust so complete, that there is never a question of what is going on, rather, the statement of “It is good for us to be here” like Peter in his simple reaction to the transfiguration of Jesus.
How would it be if we could trust our Lord with that kind of abandon? Maybe we could try and see what happens.
I know I would like a hat like that!
Until tomorrow…Blessings!
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