Like a Child - Part 1

Monday:  Luke 18:15-17—People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”

What is it about little children that the kingdom of God would belong to people like them?  How is it possible for us to become as a child?  Should we scream, cry, and throw a tantrum like we are in our “terrible 2s”?  Should we yell and shout that everything is “MINE!”? Of course not—these are not the attributes that Jesus is likely referring to in this passage in Luke.  But there are 3 key attributes of infants that I think Jesus is referencing in this Scripture: 1. Whole and total dependence on the caretaker; 2. Wondrous curiosity at discovering the surrounding world; and 3. Creation of joy in others.  Today, we will focus on the first characteristic.  We all know that infants and little children are wholly dependent on others for their very survival.  But even though they can do nothing for themselves, babies do not fill up on worry and anxiety about anything.  When it is time to eat, or when the infant cries out in hunger, the caretaker brings food to take away the hunger.  The caretaker of an infant knows every need the baby has, and those needs are met as they arise.  Likewise, God, our Creator, knows our every need.  He has told us that He knows our prayers before they are even formed in our minds.  He knows everything.  And He provides for our every need.  Like children, we must strive to become wholly dependent on our caretaker and trust that whenever a need arises our caretaker will provide for it. 

Today as you pray and meditate on His Word, praise God as your Caretaker.  Thank Him for providing for you and giving you the very air you breathe.  Lift up all your worries and anxieties.  Ask God to take those from you and to infuse you with the whole innocent faith of a baby who believes the Caretaker will always provide.  Declare your desire to remove all doubts and wholeheartedly trust that your Creator will always provide.