According to Jesus, if you can be a kid, you’re in. Talk about good news!
Matthew 18:1-3 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.
This verse has always given me comfort. Maybe it’s because I still feel childlike. Some might say it’s because I have the intellect or maturity of a child but I always dispute that with my spouse whenever she brings it up. Jesus goes on to state humility is a key to entering the kingdom of heaven; maybe it’s that. I think my comfort comes in my interpretation of what a child is versus what an adult is. Under my own definition I’ve always identified more with the child. When I hear Jesus say we need to be a child, I think “I can do that.”
Adult things can be imposing, stressful and sometimes wicked. I like the idea that if we act as children do, we’re “in” as far as heaven goes. Think of how children operate. They’re wide open to new stuff, sponges for information and honest as the day is long (sometimes too honest). I enjoy working with kids because anything is possible in their eyes. Purple horses? Sure. Flying cars? No problem. Furthermore, they haven’t been roughed up by the world nor do they carry around the baggage adults so often do. The question becomes, can we adults throw that baggage off our backs and operate in a different manner?
Jesus said that all things are possible with God. I believe that and I believe all change, when directed and blessed by God, is possible. Let me just say that I hear all the “buts” running through your mind right now because they’re running through mine also. “But I have a mortgage/job/responsibilities/laundry list of past hurts and experiences that make change impossible.” I get that but here’s the biggest ‘but” of all, Jesus calls us to put those things aside, at least in our spiritual lives, and become young again. I hope you give it a try because heaven and eternal life? They’re pretty darn important.
What is the one thing you need to let go of to become like a child? How are you childlike in your life today? What do you miss most about being a child? I’d be really interested to hear about it. You can comment below if you’d like.
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