For the last year I have been watching my granddaughter grow and develop. It is amazing to see how she has matured from a helpless infant to toddler. She is walking now and able to explore so many more things that are now within her reach. In a world we have known for so long, everything is new to her.
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This is what I think of when Jesus said in Mark 10:15, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it (NIV).” A little child is curious about the world and wants to learn about it. They don’t walk around and analyze everything they see or question its existence. A little child is full of wonder and amazement at the world. They hunger to learn about it.
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So many things prevent people from receiving the Kingdom of God. Approaching God as a child means we trust him to care for us, to provide for us. It means depending on him to protect us, knowing he will guide us away from dangerous things that affect our faith. It is that childlike wonder at the vastness of the world God created and his infinite love for us.
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Don’t let others hinder you from approaching Jesus with your childlike faith. Run to him with wonder and amazement at the grace he gives us, “for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Mark 10:4).” Let Jesus take you into his arms; let him place his hand on you and bless you.
© 2018 CGThelen
Yes. May we do the same with Christ, get hold of him and never let go. Thanks for the comment.
Wonderful analogy. I am thinking of how children will persistently reach up or out for what they desire, and once they get hold of it, become so engrossed with them. O that look on their faces! Sometimes, it is almost impossible to pry their fingers to release it.
That is a good point. There is a big difference between child-like and childish. Yes, I hope we retain the wonder and awe of the vastness of the God we serve.
Child-like is so different from childish. I think some people confuse the two and so they miss the point of that wonderful Biblical text. I hope we can always retain the wonder- the openness – and the radiant joy of a toddler exploring his/her world! Thanks for the reminder. 👍🏽❤️
Thanks.
Good point.
Well said.
Great reminders!
And as the child looks at the world in wonder and amazement, s/he learns to expect wondrous things.
I love this! Children do ask a lot of questions, but when we tell them the answers, they gladly believe us. The cynic says, “I don’t know about that. Well, answer me this— ?!” And asks another question (s)he probably won’t believe you about, either.
The ability to know the fullness of the Father lies in our becoming childlike in faith and heart.
Blessings
Brian