Sunday, September 13, 2009

Act like a child


There is something extraordinary about the heart of a child. Something pure, something tender, something genuine. Think about it. You never have to wonder about what they are thinking, because they will tell you. If you ask them if they like your outfit, they will respond honestly, because they have nothing to loose. We as adults are so afraid sometimes of upsetting people that we would rather sugarcoat things, rather than expressing how we really feel.

In Bible times, Jesus references numerous times how he wants the children to come to him (Matthew 19:13-14), and how he longs for us to have a childlike faith (Matthew 18:2-6). Back then, children were actually looked down upon as being a lower class, almost like the poor (Mark 9:36-37). That is why it comes as such a surprise that Jesus desired to spend time with children, much less tell us to emulate them!

Anyone that has spent more than four hours, or maybe even four minutes with a two-year-old knows that his/her outlook on life is totally different from ours (as adults). Two-year-olds are not worried about their 401K or that beautiful bracelet in the "Tiffany's" window, but rather about eating, sleeping, and feeling loved-to put it simply.

I recently had the opportunity to hang out with a two-year-old for a day at the mall. He and I were holding hands, making our way to the exit, when he abruptly stopped me and said: "Tina, look at the mountain! What a beautiful mountain!" I naturally started to try to figure out what he was talking about, until something caught my eye. It was an escalator! In his mind the escalator was an amazing sighting, and being that the "play area" was closed that afternoon, that sighting appeared to be the highlight of his day.

Last night I watched a total of six kids-four of which were between the ages of five and twelve. Right after they all brushed their teeth, we all started discussing "saying our prayers." I then asked, "Who wants to go first?" The oldest being "full of wisdom" then suggested that I go first, because it was my idea (for us to pray aloud). I have to admit that I felt like that was pretty logical, so I did. Then, one right after the other, they said their prayers. Surprisingly, none of them borrowed each other's words or mimicked me-they each prayed their own prayers. You could tell they were not reciting anything or trying to impress anyone with their spiritual jargon, but rather earnestly pondering what to say to Jesus.

When it came time for the little boy to pray, he prayed for "all the people that did not know Jesus, that they would know Him." But he did not stop there. He then prayed for "all the people that did know Jesus, that they might know Him better!" As the words left his lips and soared into the holy of holies, you could tell that he truly had a heart of compassion for people.

So I believe these children leave us adults with a challenge. How can we act more like a child? Obviously it is important for us to be mature and responsible. However, what if we reverted back to a childlike heart? How could we love people better? Think about how effortless it is for a child to speak to a stranger, and some of us would not even dare to do so. Uniquely that child just sees that person as a "friend they have not met yet." And that person was created in the image of Christ, just like you and me; therefore, we are called to love them that way.

With this childlike mindset, would anything change? Would we act differently? Would we pray differently? Would we see escalators or beautiful mountains? You decide!

-Rendered Heart

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me,
and do not forbid them;
for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 19:13-14 New King James Version


And Jesus called a little child to Him,
set him in the midst of them, and said,
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and
become as little children, you will by no means
enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one little child
like this in My name receives Me.

But whoever causes one of these little ones
who believe in Me to sin,
it would be better for him
if a millstone were hung around his neck,
and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

Matthew 18:2-6 New King James Version

Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them,
"Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me."

Mark 9:36-37 New American Standard