* Like A Child

Then he said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me.
Matthew 18:3-5 God's Word Translation

There's a little girl at my church named Shayla. Her mother is part of the Praise and Worship team. When the music starts, Shayla moves toward the front of the church and enters in with her whole heart (proof that children learn what they live). Yesterday, our pastor's wife asked Shayla to go up on the lower part of the stage to get a handheld microphone. She ran to do her bidding, slipped and slid into the corner, recovered, picked up the microphone, and ran back... and in those few seconds, she managed to deliver a complete illustration of God's expectation of us.

The pastor's wife asked Shayla to get the microphone, fully expecting that Shayla would and she did. Children rise to our expectation of them.

Shayla ran to do her bidding, slipped, fell, and got back up to run back to her - mission accomplished.

And in that instant, I felt God speak to my heart, "Oh, that ALL my children would run to do what I ask them to do! And if they slip and fall, just get back up and keep going, then run back to Me!"

I was convicted to my toes! How often do we - as adults - stand and argue with God? Debating because we'd rather do things our own way or not at all?

Prayer:

O Father!
            Forgive us for all the times we did not hasten to do Your bidding! Break the rebellious spirit in us and deliver us into Your light. Father, may we be like children who RUN to do whatever You ask of us, no matter what! Create in us clean hands and a pure heart, we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen