" Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." - Mark 10:14
This verse has continually been on my mind all week. I read it when doing my reading for bible read through group last weekend, then on Tuesday morning, during the short chapel after prayer group, the passage in particular was spoken about. Then discussing it during read through group Tuesday evening. There's something about a child that is so valuable. So, along with the beautiful weather all week, I've been spending quite a bit of time in parks and what not observing kids and just allowing God to help me see what is it in them that He values so much and want us all to have.
1. The All or Nothing Attitude
One of my favorite things to do as a kid, that i still love now, is rolling down hills. When I spent the weekend away in Edinburgh, I had good fun watching little kids roll down the hills of Arthur's seat, and joining in for a bit later on. Since it's been beautiful out this past week, I've seen the same thing in the park around the corner from my dorms. Have you ever seen kids with bubbles? They absolutely love it and chasing bubbles is one of the greatest things to do.
When kids play, they either give it their all, or they do absolutely nothing. When rolling down the hills and getting dirty, when chasing bubbles that the wind carries, they give it everything they've got to roll down that hill as fast as they can or pop the bubble before it disappears. There is no in between.
In the wonderful grown up world, it's not quite as simple. There's different percentages as to how much we really want to give, or if what we're doing is worth our all. So often when we have to do something, it's never the full 100% unless it is something we have great love and passion for. Otherwise, we just do it well enough to be accepted, and wonder later on how much better it could have been have we given it everything.
It reminds me of when I used to do competitive swimming. Every practice, you give everything you've got to become stronger and faster. But there will be sets where you only want to go at 70% or 80%. There will be different seasons where instead of just going all out and getting worn out, you hold back, sometimes to as much as 50% or 60% to allow yourself a chance to rest. But when it comes down to the races, it doesn't matter how many times you do the event, for the prelims, quarterfinals, semi finals... no matter how exhausted you many start to feel, when it comes down to the finals, you go all out. you kick and pull as fast as you can with every bit of strength you can find. otherwise, all those hours, days, months of practice goes down the drain.
When it comes to doing something for God, He wants us to have an all or nothing attitude towards it. Either we do it to the very best of our capabilities, and let Him be glorified, or we don't do it at all. There is no in between. Give of your very best because God deserves the very best.
2. Be Curious and Delight in The Simple Things
Kids have so much curiosity in them that pretty much anything will spark an interest. anything at all. from the different colors in a book to the tiniest of bug crawling on a leaf. anything that moves or makes a noise. Usually, they get so much joy out of it, even though it might be their care taker's biggest nightmare.
In our fast paced world, it's so easier to let things go by without paying the slightest attention to them. How often do you take time to just sit and watch the sunrise, or lay out and listen to the creatures making music in the trees? 'I don't have the time', would probably be your answer. It is rather sad to know that people no longer have the time to simply appreciation creation that surrounds us every day. Creation that is created by God for us to delight in. We no longer enjoy watching the flower bloom as we walk by it each day, we forget to thank God that with every sunrise, comes a new day. We forget to say thank you for the blessings that God has given to us.
God longs for us to delight in the simple things. To enjoy the colors of sunset, to enjoy the colors of fall. To watch the squirrel gathering its food, knowing that God cares enough to watch over them and what more you? When it comes to the bible, God longs for us to be curious about His word. To understand the simplicity of His love, to dig deeper to know Him more and more.
3. Complete Trust
Ever watched a child giggle and squeal as Daddy tosses them into the air? How does that bring so much joy? The child is completely unaware of the danger that the action brings. What if Daddy misses catching the child, or if the child was tossed too high, or because the child is so fragile, he or she gets hurt while being caught. These questions don't exist in the child's mind. Simply because they have complete trust in their Father. They know that each time as they fly into the air, Daddy's arms are waiting to catch them. The child knows that no matter what they do, Daddy is never too far away, watching over them like a hawk. The child knows that if they fall, Daddy will be right there to pick them up and help them back on their feet. No matter what the child faces, he or she knows that Daddy will always be there.
That's the kind of trust that God wants us to have in Him. Sometimes through the struggles of life, we lose sight of Him, we can't see Him, and get frustrated thinking He abandoned us. Instead, He's always right there by our side, holding our hand every step of the way. He's always protecting, always guiding. We just need to trust in Him. Trust that He knows exactly what's going on, trust that He will be there all the way. Even when you fall, He will be there to get you back on your feet. If you ever wander away, He's always waiting with open arms for you to come back. Trust in Him.
4. Never Let Go
It isn't too hard to find kids throwing a tantrum because they're tired and no longer want to walk. They want to be carried and even when their parents try to explain in the nicest way possible that they are too big or too heavy and need to walk, the one thing kids will do is to cling on as tight as they can and not let go.
How often do we see kids crying and clinging on to their parents as their parents tell them to be quiet and tries to peel them off their body.
Growing up, we went on a family vacation to Australia, and like every kid on the planet, I had an obsession with Koala Bears. They were cute and furry and I was so excited to finally get a chance to go to a zoo and hold a real one. No one warned me that koala bears DON'T let go. whether it's a tree, or a person or their baby. so when it was time for me to leave, as much as I didn't want to let it go, the zookeeper comes around and tries to peel this koala off me, but it just kept holding on and would not let go.
That's what God wants us to do. To hold on to Him and never let go. He will carry us through the storm and through the rain and back out into sunshine. But in your darkest hour, just keep holding on. There is so much going on in our world today, the only way you can stay safe is to hang on to God, and to His word. Don't let to world lead you astray. Hang on to God and never let go.
5. Resilience
When you see a child fall, your first instinct is to run to them and make sure that they are alright. Usually, before you can even make it to the child, they are right back on their feet and running around again, as if nothing had happened at all. Kids have incredible resilience, more than we give them credit for.
We need to be resilient, just like a child. to bounce right back up every time we fall. Sometimes we need a little pick-me-up and that's what God is there for. He will be there to make sure you're alright. We also need to be aware of what surrounds us and be resilient to the things that may lead us astray. Yes, God is watching over us like any loving Father would watch over His child, but it is our decision if we choose to go away from His path.
Be resilient to any challenges from the enemy. If you hang on to God, you will be equipped with the right armor to stand up strong in times of trial.
That's all my splash of thoughts about what God has been trying to teach me this past week. I've now seen why kids, might not have all the knowledge in the world, but yet are so precious and valuable to God.
You are a child of God. Don't stop being a child. :)
