WE CAN LEARN FROM CHILDREN

As a 10 year old, early one Christmas morning, I excitedly crept down to the loungeroom to look at the Christmas presents. The scent of the pine needles from the Christmas tree filled the room. Christmas tree lights blinking on and off illuminated the room for 2 seconds at a time. As I looked around my eyes locked on a present in the corner of the lounge room and I felt an absolute rush of joy and excitement. My very own chrome BMX bike with red rims. I reckon I sat on the bike in my pyjamas for at least half an hour just soaking it all in. 

I felt so good riding that bike. I would wash it, clean it and oil the chain. Riding my BMX with my mates, doing jumps, mono’s and tricks brought me so much simple joy and happiness.

Jumping forward 20 or so years, I had my own children running around, riding bikes and enjoying life. They would often run flat out down the hallway when I got home from work, and just launch themselves into my arms, laughing and giggling and full of trust that I would catch them every time. And I did.

Have you ever watched a child run and jump into their parent's arms without a moment's hesitation? They are not paralysed with fear, calculating the risk, trying to work out if their parents would catch them or not. We can learn a lot from children.

Jumping back around 2000 years. We read in Matthew 18 that Jesus’ disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and no doubt probably big noting themselves. Jesus took the opportunity to teach them some life truths and called a child over to stand before them. This child had no status, power or authority, and was totally dependent on their parents. Jesus said, whoever humbles themself like this child, will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

He didn’t say, to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven you need to be the strongest, most talented, the smartest, achieve the most, be the best, have it all together.

Children don’t come to their parents with a list of achievements and a list of all the times they’ve been good, saying I’ve got my life together now Mum and Dad, now I can be around you and you can love me. Parents love their children not because of what they’ve done but because of whose child they are.

It is the same with us and God. God’s grace and forgiveness and love is a free gift. God invites us to come to Him with humility, not status or power, and trust Him like a child trusts their parents. 

Run and jump, He will catch you.