The door closes, setting the boundary for containment. Hands in lap, quietly, I sit observing. White hair, and the years it bears witness to, blend me into the background. A toddler interacts with his Mama and the other young women. This room of strangers has joined together for a Bible study. We don’t know each other, but we have a common focus: the child. From their seats, the ladies delight in him, comparing his behavior to their children. Soft laughter fills the air, erasing any tension that might try to intrude.
He’s comfortable in this temporary gathering and is now torn between waddling to the safety and love of Mama’s lap and scurrying off to investigate the room. So many new things to evaluate. Toys, purses resting next to their owner’s chair, and water bottles. The snippet of paper found on the floor fits neatly in his hand and just as quickly into his mouth. All eyes move to assess if it will do him harm, and then conversations resume without mentioning his snack. These are young women, but seasoned moms. The game of the lap of security versus independence continues to play out.
Joyful, trusting, and eager for adventure, he attempts to run. Mama’s outstretched arm surges energy to her fingertips as she endeavors to catch his fall—one step out of reach, he stumbles. Diaper padding cushions the inevitable. I smile and am suddenly reminded of Matthew 18:3-4.
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (ESV).
What is Jesus trying to say to us? Children understand who provides security and food, the necessities for a sustained life. They willingly depend upon their parents and trust them for answers. Free of pride, ambition, and serving in the hope of attaining the world’s accolades, children are teachable and know nothing of discrimination.
Too quickly, we move past this state of humility, eventually requiring conversion to the saving knowledge of Christ. Our sustenance is His Word. Does our Bible collect dust, or is it lovingly adorned by worn binding and pages? Is our dependence on Him, or do we pridefully white-knuckle it? Has chasing people’s affirmation become a distorted need? And are we willing to see God’s creation when viewing all people? Awaiting us is a lifetime of reaching out to recapture the humility and teachability of our inner child. God understands the difficulty in the task ahead. Tenderly, He reaches His hand to take ours.
Father, please mold me, cleanse my heart and soul. Erase my fears, selfishness, and remnants of a desire to please people. Help me drop my insecurities to the ground. I want to look at Your face with joy, reverence, love, and guidance. Return my heart to that of a child. In the Precious Name of Jesus, Amen
