Kids
of the Kingdom
I
remember it like it was yesterday. Our
sixth grade assignment was simple:
“If you could name any age that you
would like to be, what would it be and why?”
For my 12-year old mind, it seemed straight forward enough. I wrote, “I’d like to be 23. The reason…I’d be finished with school, and I
wouldn’t have to do anymore goofy homework papers.” Somehow, God had a great sense of humor as I
didn’t finish school until I was 27. But
then again, 8th grade was four of the happiest years of my life.
If
you were to ask me that same question today, I’d have to say, “The best age is
where I am right now.”
I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Hopefully, you’d say the same thing.
The truth is, life is what you make it and if you choose to make your
present age the best ever, it can be. Notwithstanding
the hardships, responsibilities, and concerns, as one person said, “It’s
the sails and rudders that determine your
destiny, not the wind.”
But
if I were to get a second choice, I’d probably say a kid. Now
we should never minimize the challenges of childhood versus the agonies of
adulthood. Who, after all, wants to
experience growing pains, gockiness 101, P.E. class, persistent peer pressure,
and navigating the maze of early kid-dom.
But there were certain benefits that you must admit were appealing. In an article called, “To Be A Kid Again,”
the author reminds us that she wants to go back in time when:
-Decisions were made by going “eeny-meeny-miney-mo.”
-Mistakes were corrected
by simply exclaiming “Do over!”
-Being old referred to
everyone over 20.
-It was magic when dad
would “remove” his thumb.
-Oly-oly-oxen-free made
perfect sense.
-Ice cream was
considered a basic food group.
-And…abilities were
discovered because of a “double-dog-dare.”
When
you really think about it, it wasn’t such a bad deal. Robert
Fulgam proclaimed, “Life’s greatest
lessons are learned as a kid.” Things
such as sharing, putting things back where you found them, and playing have
taken you a long way. Not to mention
making the most of those endless summers.
But
Jesus had the greatest insight when He said that the deepest spiritual growth
comes when you become a kid again. Now He wasn’t talking about hopping in the
sandbox, skipping rope or breaking out the Lego’s. No, He was talking about a heart
condition. Kids trust…kids depend…kids
love with an unconditional heart. It’s
only when we grow up that life drains those things quicker than a Jiffy-Lube
oil change…
Matthew
18 reveals Jesus’ sentiments on true greatness. “At
that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven?” He called a little
child and had him stand among them. And
he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this
child is the greatest in the kingdom
of heaven.” When it comes to God’s
kingdom, to be a kid again isn’t such a bad thing. And just in case you need the push…I
double-dog-dare you!
Terry Risser
Consider reading the Word today:
Copyright - 2014
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