Hungry, Humble, and Trusting!

If the saints of God would show up at their corporate places of worship tomorrow with these positive attributes that children have, such a blessed day it would be, wouldn't it? Or better yet, that we would aspire for them to be in our lives every day as we walk in the Spirit.  Yesterday, we saw from 1 Peter 2 that we are to desire the Word of God as babies do their life-sustaining milk. Of course, as we grow in the Lord, we are to progress toward the meat as Heb. 5 and 6 instructs us to do. Having tasted the grace and goodness of our Lord, we thirst and hunger for more of Him all our lives. Jesus told us in the Beatitudes in Matt. 5- "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

Also, in that passage, the first blessing offered is the one I want to tie in with my analogy of children today- "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Little children are not only hungry but they are humble.  I read two different passages in Luke's Gospel this morning where our Master sets a child before the disciples to teach them a lesson. I believe He still uses them today to do the same thing for us.  In Luke, chapter 9, just after Jesus has foretold His death to those few men He has chosen to surround Himself with, they are arguing about who of them was the greatest. We like to point our fingers and ask how dare they be so far from Jesus' heart as Jerusalem appears in the distance. I submit that too often we are just like them as we enter our churches, often with the same attitudes. It's manifested in thoughts of who is dressed the best, whose Sunday School class is the largest, who was the best soloist today...........  The smallest children will arrive with none of that- they recognize they wouldn't even be there if not totally depending on their parents' help. They won't be trying to outdo- in fact, if their taped bow in their hair falls out or the nursery worker removes the tie from the six-mo. old boy, they will be happy!

Now, I know the analogy breaks down as they grow and the seed of sin in their hearts begins to blossom and as they observe, sadly, how their parents and peers handle different situations but as "little tykes",we must admit, they are humble and did not show up to impress anyone today. Jesus explained to the haughty disciples as they gazed upon the child in their midst that greatness is dependent upon humility. They did not get an A+ on that lesson, apparently, because later in chapter 18, He has to give them a do-over. (Thank God for second and third and fourth and..... chances...).  As the custom was, parents were bringing their babies for the Rabbi to bless and His disciples rebuked them, thinking that the busy Master couldn't have time for the least of the least.  I am so blessed by the thought that those are exactly who He makes time for. "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosover shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."  Charles Swindoll comments- "We need to stop galloping through life on our high horse, slow down, and dismount, for it is only when we take the  time to make room in our hearts for the 'least of these' that we have the time and room for Jesus Himself."  Why did Jesus use children for His object lesson?  I believe there are many reasons but for one, they are hungry. They are humble, they aren't "know-it-alls."  Haven't you noticed how teachable that young kids are? It is why they exasperate you, at times, with their why and how questions. They don't know- they know they don't know- and they want to know and on top of that, when you give them the answer, they trustingly accept it. Oh, for God's children, myself first, to be like that!

Yes, they are utterly dependent, teachable, they are unworldly as babies. What the crowd says and socialites offer, doesn't move them at all. Prestige, they say, "what is that?"   I could go on about the things that I love and find so refreshing about kids- like their joy and their zest for life. A friend of Amy's remarked today that her Emma was up at 7:00 on a Saturday morning because she is so excited about a 2:00 p.m. birthday party.  Now, I know the argument comes in that as adults, we have responsibilities and life isn't so carefree. I understand but maybe we should realize, Saint, that we are not as responsible and important as we think we are.  May I remind us that Jesus said these words in Matt 7:7-11- "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, HOW MUCH MORE SHALL YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN GIVE GOOD THINGS TO THEM THAT ASK HIM?"  

Help us, Lord, to be hungry, humble, trusting and joyful children as we know that we rest in Your Sovereign Heavenly Father hands!

- Deborah