Remember this story?People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. 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 10:13-16Jesus said that God's kingdom belongs to people who are like little children. What is it that little children have the I can reclaim in order to participate more fully in the Kingdom of God? What is it that delights Jesus so much about them?
1. They believe that impossible things are possible.
Sounds Biblical to me, and yet it's something I struggle to believe in everyday situations. As we approach Moving Day, I'm getting a little scared that we're going to “waste” these 2 years in Puerto Supe and that God won't do anything special. After all, our desires to be part of substantial change in the town are pretty much impossible. But isn't this God? Aren't we dealing with the One who created the whole earth and the human heart? He made life. He can do anything He wants with it.
2. They are comfortable in their own skin.
Nothing to prove, nothing to hide. Kids accept who they are and don't obsess about who they're not. Because of that, they have the presence to love people freely and to exercise their little gifts without worrying about the things they're not good at. Isn't it about time to go ahead and grieve who I'm not and let it go? Isn't it time to start enjoying the parts of me that God was pleased to make?
3. They are full of wonder.
If I ever get tired of seeing the snow-capped volcanoes rising like rockets out of the desert surrounding Arequipa, I will know I'm in trouble. The Bible says that Creation declares the glory of God. I'd like to reclaim an awareness of the beautiful things around me- nature, people's expressions, good news- and let them drive me to wonder and worship.
We pray “Thy Kingdom come” and we really mean it; we want to see the Reign of God made real on this very earth. As we move to Puerto Supe in 3 weeks (or so), we move to participate in a work we think is working toward that end. How do we draw nearer to His Kingdom? By becoming more like little children, for one. Please pray with us that these three characteristics would be manifest in our “old” flesh. We want to believe and see impossible things, find the self-confidence to empower love, and gain a renewed sense of wonder as we open our eyes.
