Monday, 29 September 2008

• Humble Yourself Like a Child...

   by mrs violet

  2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18

  Jesus told us to become humble, to make ourselves like the children. This is not a passive activity but requires thought and action on our part.

  But what does it mean?

  I have a few thoughts about this, as I have observed my own children in their natural habitats:

  1.   Children have a thirst for knowledge and are teachable-  they don't rely upon what they know, and they always want to know more.  They are never afraid to ask questions and seek out answers.  They are proactive in searching for knowledge.   They don't simply rely on their own understanding.   And they are quite happy to ask a friend, a peer or an adult for those answers and most likely all of those as they try to process those answers in meaningful ways.

  2. Children are non-threatening-  they are usually endearing and happy go lucky little creatures.  They are not weighed down by the pressures of this world, because their parents have that all under control.  They are carefree and unhindered (or should be) by the pressures of life and the world around them. 

  3.  Are free from love of position and power-  It is not being the smartest, the strongest, the prettiest, or the most right with little children.  Sure once the world has got in and the adults around them have corrupted them into thinking that these are the important things in life, children from different stations in life would play happily in the sandbox together blissfully unaware of their cultural and societal differences.

  4.  Children are usually quick to forget and forgive-  Sometimes this drives me crazy in my own children.  Sometimes I think they are too ready to put up with crappy treatment for the sake of the game and for fun, yet they do.  They are quick to forget and forgive more easily, so that they can all get on with the job/game at hand.

  5. What you see is what you get with children- they have little time for pretense.  As much as their behavior can sometimes drive us wild, at least it is real and raw.  There is no hiding, no pretending, no two faces with little children.  What you see is what you get!

  So what does this mean for us?

  1.  Are we open and teachable? Or are we stuck in our ways and our thoughts?
  Are we selective with who we take advice and teaching from?  While we may not agree theologically with everybody we come across, are we open to hearing other points of view and at least walking a while in an other's shoes?  Even if we decide those shoes aren't for us?  Or are we so set on what we know and think that we can not even possibly entertain the possibility that some body else may teach us something new?

  2.  Are we threatening and rude? Or are we like a child, endearing, pleasant and truthful?
  My husband always tells me that you can catch more flies with honey.
  I have never met a man so able to speak truth to somebody and remain calm, happy and pleasant while he does it.  Truth is essential to the Christian walk, but you can win the battle and loose the war with how you tell that truth!

  3.  Are you in love with power, authority and position? Does it have to be another  man who teaches you?  Or only a pastor?  Are you able to see Jesus in even the youngest Christian around you and hear the truth they are saying even if you have walked with Jesus longer? Do you believe they have to have superior bible knowledge than you do before they can add any value to your spiritual walk?  If this is the case then you have missed the purpose of the Body of Christ.

  4. Do you bear grudges for a long time or are you quick to move on? If a brother/sister offends you or disagrees with you on an issue of teaching/doctrine, do you bear a grudge, block their site, never read anything they write ever again?  Are you a throw the baby out with the bath water person, or are you willing to give your brothers and sisters in the Lord second chances.

  5.  Are you a what you see is what you get Christian? Or do you live a double life?  Sometimes other Christians don't like who I am.  Sometimes I don't like what other Christians are, but they are what they are, I am what I am.

  Let us try to get on and love and embrace our fellow sojourner on the journey for the sake of the gospel and the body of Christ our Lord.

  What are your thoughts on the passage of scripture above?

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