As a child, I remember asking my Momma, ” How old do I have to be to stay up late?” Her answer was, “We will see.” (Which I did not think was an answer!)
Though I had a happy childhood, I so wanted to be a teenager, so I could have a later bedtime, and more allowance. Then, as a young teen I wanted to be an older teen so I could get a job and drive a car.
Then, I wanted to go to college, to be on my own, to become someone with a good degree. After college, I looked forward to getting a great job…
Do you see my pattern of thinking? I was always looking forward to a status I did not have. It is not wrong to want these things at all. However, they have to be under our #1 desire to have what the Lord wants us to have.
And do you know what status Jesus wants us to want, no matter our age? The humble status of a child. That’s what He told the disciples:
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4 ESV
I do not think the disciples were expecting THAT answer! Just a guess, but they may have asked that, so they would know where they stood. Perhaps they wanted to do better, be better, in His eyes?
That is not a bad thing and there was nothing wrong with their question, because they learned something from it. I, too, learned from Jesus’ response here. It totally makes sense. Though we may have goals and strive to be the best at things….
The best version of us is what Jesus wants us to be!!
So if He wants us to be children, how exactly do we do that? As always, God’s Word tells us what we need to know…
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ” 1 Peter 5:5-7 ESV
I feel like God is saying, ” Do not exalt yourselves. That’s my job.“
Dear Father, You are so good to your children. That is what we want to behave like, Your children. As we follow our goals help us to be humble when we succeed, knowing that we can do nothing without You. We want to please You, so do whatever it takes to keep us humble and we will give You all praise and glory because that is what You deserve. Amen
With love from the Father to you, have a great day! Remember to pray for our hurting country and world and each other:)
Tina
Glory in the Morning 