Matthew 18:3

As a child, we enter the world innocent and pure.  The initial months are simple.  The images we see are clouded; there is no room for judgement. Our cries are our only form of communication…

As we grow and become toddlers, our personalities emerge. Our eyes develop. And our environment, at present, suddenly, is no longer as it was in the past…simple. We have begun to realize, there are rules to be followed, and a time and place for everything, that is anything. “A time for every activity (Ecclesiastes 3:1)”, we no longer can call our own. Our cries not only are signals, when we are wet or hungry, but now, an indication of our frustration. Moments of anxiety, sporadically weld inside, when we feel out of sync with our reality. Finding our way back to that happy place of tranquility is our only mission; one we rally to succeed.  What once was simple, is now complicated, and susceptible to an array of manipulation on our part, as we try our caretakers. We desperately maneuver our way back to that feeling of comprehensible normalcy in our little minds. Our controlled safe haven ruled by none. Though, if it feels now, our happy moments are lost, they are not. We soon realize, if nurtured in the right environment, and not taken capture by the influences which surround us, there is always hope.  Our lives can remain simple, and our minds and hearts as pure as the day we were born… So long as we think on things which are good and worthy of praise…  which are true …honest…just…pure, and lovely (Philippians 4:8). As adults, our thoughts and the love for God can be the catalyst which stiffens the rebellious nature, and allow us to return back to our childlike nature where we  enjoyed the simple life , and was obedient to those over us… first and foremost… God.

Jesus was once asked, among those you have chosen, who would be held in high regard. He then looked towards a child and explained, the only way to enter the kingdom is to change our ways and become childlike again (Matthew 18:3). How ironic, when as children, we are groomed to be adults; only to be told by Jesus to return to our youthful nature when we arrive. But, be that as it may, as children, we are, happiest. We are not damaged by that which surrounds us. We have no experience in the things such as pain and sorrow, for the most part. We have no responsibility, and to some degree no accountability, so therefore no stress. And more times than not, we take heed to that which are of no virtue. We have more time to love, laugh and truly enjoy life… a typical life. We have no shame as we run from room to room in our nakedness…  We have no judgement when we see others in full array. A child sees through his heart of love and life, while an adult sees through his eyes of disdain, err and envy. A grungy homeless person to a baby is simply a person. He only becomes grungy and homeless when we begin to see with our eyes and not our heart. As Jesus once explained to his disciples, there is a difference in those who see and those who are no longer able. Our hearts over time harden, which then causes us not to see what matters. But not only are we unable to see, but unable to hear (Matthew 13: 14-15). Our filters focus so much on that which is not valuable, we forget that which is…, “The Word of God”.

When a child strays, parents gear up in crisis mode pondering ways in which to reach their children. God, in the same instance, I suppose, does the same. I could imagine Him wondering, if I taught you the right way to go and you were at your happiest then, why on earth would you seek an alternative, and contend with being unhappy now. Like when a child is taught the stove is hot, so do not touch. As children, we eventually learn, if obedient…, not to touch.  As adults, we might not go as far as touching a hot stove… because, no doubt we know we will get burned… But, what about the other temptations we encounter…, where is the obedience those instances?  The repercussions are not as grave as being burned. Or so we convince ourselves. Unfortunately, this leant way of thinking can easily be applied to every temptation we face, from addictions to unfaithfulness, to our lack of integrity, or love of money. The list goes on. So many vices, and so little virtue. The “me” syndrome.  Rather than put God first, we promote our flesh with what makes us feel better.  He sits back and watches, wondering when we will turn from our wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14). As we flounder to and fro in the wilderness, when will enough be enough to abandon that which hinders our best life…Satan is the great promoter of our flesh. But we must love ourselves enough not to give in to what makes us feel good, but to what is best for us in the long run. We must love ourselves, as much as God loves us. We must be the parent to our souls.

God has shown us so many testimonies of His goodness in others. And I am sure for these people, it was not easy to abide by His law. To live and walk like Jesus. I believe every day was a struggle because they are human. And so, every day they called on Jesus for strength. And they did it out of love for God, knowing He loved them enough to help them work through every challenge, so they could be their very best self. If we take a step back, and rather than envy those who have captured the Grace of God (wondering to ourselves, why them and not me), we must take heed to the evidence seen…, for we could acquire the same grace. “…[L]et us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross (Hebrews 12:1).” Let us for once experience the abundant life promised us by our Heavenly Father. The happier life we once knew as a child, despite the rules. Would it not be worth our weight in gold to stand firm in the word, and not touch the hot stove as we were taught. To abide by the rules. To barter temptation, for peace and happiness, rather than the confusion and pain we normally find ourselves waging. Must our privileges (God’s grace) be taken away, for us to  wake up and see the light… so we find ourselves exposed to the raw and cruel reality of being abandoned and alone with no means to support our flesh and no grace to help our souls… Backed in a corner where we have no choice but to reflect on our life and what it has become. Till we are so downtrodden, we have no choice but to come to our senses and remember when life was good. When, even with the expectation of obeying our fathers, life was good. With the curfews…, life was good. Where it was a life simple and pure and childlike…, but good.

CWB