And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 NIV
If you spend any time around children, you quickly notice their innocence and inquisitiveness. They look to adults, like parents, teachers, and caregivers, as the source of knowledge. It’s the age at which the one-word question, “Why,” is their primary verbal source of gathering data. Children will continue to repeat the question until they either receive an answer to which they can relate or move on to another topic.
Children have an innate purity and openness. They approach the world without preconceived notions or judgments. Their hearts are unburdened by pride, cynicism, or doubt, and their faith is simple and unwavering. This innocence allows them to trust and believe wholeheartedly. Jesus teaches us that to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must adopt this same childlike innocence—letting go of our prejudices, embracing humility, and approaching our faith with a pure heart.
Jesus continued saying, “Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.: (v. 4)
Just as children are humble and dependent on their caregivers, we too must recognize our dependence on God. We are His children, created in His image, but we asserted our independence in our rebellion. We reclaim our place as His children by humbling ourselves and acknowledging our dependency. Embracing humility means accepting our limitations and recognizing our need for divine guidance. It's about setting aside our ego and pride and approaching God with the same trust and vulnerability children show toward their parents.
When we adopt this childlike posture, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and grace and grow to be more like Him. In our daily lives, we can practice this by seeking God's guidance in our decisions, showing kindness and openness to others, and trusting in His plans even when we don't understand them fully. As we do, we become more attuned to God's will and better equipped to reflect His love to the world.
Heavenly Father, help us embrace the qualities of a child—innocence, humility, trust, and inquisitiveness. May we set aside our pride and ego and approach You with open hearts and minds. Guide us to depend on Your wisdom and grace in all aspects of our lives, and may we always seek to know You more deeply with a curious and eager spirit. Transform us to be more like You. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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