Hearts Like Children

I was looking at some verses from Mark 10 today:

13    And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Look at verse 15. "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Jesus' words.

I read some commentaries on these verses. Some talked about the enormous gift that is the kingdom of God. How do the attitudes of children vary when they receive a gift? Excitement. Joy. There is almost a naivete that comes along with receiving a gift like a child.

We lose this naivete as we enter our teen years. We become cynical. Relationships make us this way. We might experience abuse. We become embittered. Maybe we don't get into the school we wanted, or the job we wanted. We get tired. Day in, day out of work, making sure bills are paid, children are raised. Making sure our parents are cared for. Worrying, worrying, endless worry.

These are the life events that sanctify us. They are the same life events that make us grown-ups and not like children.

Is it possible that sanctification from these life events makes us holy, but it also makes us more like children? Awed? Amazed? Grateful? And for those without the Holy Spirit, does it make them more sarcastic? Cynical? Exhausted? How does this work, anyway? Doesn't it seem like it's the opposite of what *should* happen, the ultimate paradox? This is how God works. He performs wonders untold.

Think about embracing the things you loved as a child this week. Whether it was ballet class, coloring, creating model cars, reading Anne of Green Gables, flying paper airplanes, making mudpies, or even just giggling. And embrace the kingdom of God as you do it.