Turning back into a child
“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
It's time to turn back and become little children again. This doesn't mean that we can act childish and never grow up, but it does mean that there are some characteristics and qualities of children that allow us to see the kingdom of heaven. It is different to be childlike than to be childish.
Previously, I worked at a playgroup for infants and young children up to the age of three. I loved playing with them because they would easily burst into a full blown laugh. In addition to many wonderful characteristics, little children are innocent, playful, joyful, energetic, trusting, creative, quick to forgive, open, humble, emotionally expressive, among many other things. A study found that children laugh 300 times a day while adults laugh 17 times on average.
In the broken world, life hits us hard and we have been traumatized by events. This makes us lose the childlike qualities so adults often become jaded, disinterested, refuse to forgive and hold grudges, over reasoning and overly logical. Adults tend to be less open, and their past experiences constrain their thinking, so they have difficulty imagining anything different, or even worse, they lose hope in dreams due to repeated disappointments.
Jesus commands us today to be “converted” as children, and the Greek word “convert” means “turning back”. We were children once, and we had these wonderful qualities such as purity, humility, trust, and God reminds us to maintain these qualities and not lose them. The best part is that we can enter the kingdom of heaven. This is more than life after death, but experiencing God's kingdom here and now on earth. Experiencing heaven on earth requires us to become little children.
As well, childlike faith does not mean blind faith or not asking questions; children are inquisitive and ask questions as they are driven by curiosity, but they are humble and teachable. In addition, little children are less self-absorbed and worry free, they do not reject themselves in the mirror by saying, "I look ugly and I feel fat." Little children do not beat themselves up.
Last but not least, becoming a little child so we can fully embrace father's love. Children know how to rely on their parents and caregivers, and God is our Abba Father, who cares for us and gives us the best. Let us turn back and become little children and call our “Abba Father! ”
Blessing prayer: May the Spirit give us a childlike faith so we can come to you with a pure heart and humility. We want to enter the kingdom of heaven to experience joy and your presence forevermore. In Jesus’ name Amen
