What is it about Christmas that brings out the kid in most of us? I say most, because there are those who wouldn’t giggle in a joke factory, it’s just beneath them. I love to laugh! And I love to hear people laugh, especially children, because they laugh without reserve whether it’s appropriate or not. They also have sense enough not to laugh sometimes like when someone falls down. A child will run to the aid of the person who fell rather than fall down laughing like many adults. No, I’m not an America’s Funniest Home Video fan, mainly because God created me with too much empathy for that. I feel every busted mouth and tailbone! But I confess… sometimes I laugh, I just kept help myself.
Did you know that there are biblical principles for immaturity? It’s true, so long as kept in the context for which the Lord intended.
Go when God says Go
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them.
Most children know that when someone calls them, they need to go. It may be dinner, it may be late, they may be in trouble, but for whatever reason, someone called and they must go. Adults, not so much. God calls me to do things all the time and I either rebelliously don’t listen, or more than likely put it off until it’s off the list of things to do.
As children of God, when He calls, we should run as fast as we can to see what it is He’d have us do, knowing that it is for certain for our good!
Change when God says Change
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Another great characteristic of a child is that they’re free thinkers. They can change direction in the blink of an eye! A new idea is a new adventure waiting to happen. Shouldn’t the child of God be that way? Now, there are some things that we cannot change, such as the foundational truths of the scripture. However, those “foundational truths” have changed in their appearance multiple times since they’ve been written. How we conduct a church service, what we wear, how we speak… much has changed. But for some reason when adults get saved, some things don’t change. Your speech should change, your temperament should change, your willingness to change, should change.
Cry when God says Cry
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Children will cry at the drop of a hat. They don’t feel embarrassed or care who’s in the room. Why do we? But we do. We’ll stifle a cry, or keep our emotions concealed when the Spirit is clearly moving us. How many times do we wreck a service by not allowing the Spirit to move us? Someone may need to see God moving in our lives, so He can move in theirs.
Accept Who God Accepts
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Unless an adult has already jaded their world, children don’t see color, age, apparel or anything else as a reason not to play with others. Why do we? God desires that every person on this earth come to Him, and He desires to use us to bring them; but all too often we don’t play well enough with others to make them want to play with us.
Touch who God says Touch
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Are we not a “touch me not” society? Oh, I get it. The world has warped us to believe that a touch can be misconstrued and considered inappropriate to the point we’re afraid to touch anyone. How sad is that? Not for children though; they’ll hug a complete stranger just because they were kind. But if we do that it quakes their soul because we’ve entered their air space.
My church is a hugging church, I love that about it. Christians need to hug more freely. There’s a line not to cross, but overall people need to feel how much you care, and a hug is a great way to let them know!
Bless who God says Bless
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
One of the greatest attributes of a child is their desire for everyone to get what’s best.
At a recent Christian School Dinner, one of the children was called upon to pray. The little boy’s prayer moved me! Not because of its eloquence but because of its sincerity. He blessed the food, but before he did he said, “Lord, I can run really fast, and I pray that all my friends can run as fast as I can.” I was in awe. He wanted the world he lived in to have all the goodness he had. Isn’t that the greatest prayer a blessed child of God can pray? Ask God to give them the goodness that’s been given to you and then move out of the way so they can get there. Don’t prevent anyone from getting to Christ. Pray for them, ask the Holy Spirit to move on them, and then watch God work. Don’t assume that you already know their mind, or don’t hinder someone because you don’t feel they’re worthy.
That’s just a few ways, I pray I’ll never grow up.
