As I'm sitting here at my computer, I'm listening to my children sing. They are supposed to be sleeping... Of course, I'll have to go quiet them momentarily, but right now my heart is lightened by the sweet little melodies coming from behind their bedroom door. It's amazing to me at the early ages of 2 and 4, they can actually carry a tune and certainly more skillfully than their 30-something mother. One of my favorite scriptures, Psalm 8:2 "Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."
My mind drifts to the story of Jesus being surrounded by children while teaching the crowd. Parents brought their babies just so they could be touched by the Master. If only we were so diligent to bring our children before Him. Schools wouldn't be so dangerous, bad attitudes and blatant disrespect wouldn't be rampant, teens wouldn't be serving life terms in prison or having babies, and so on and so forth...
I try to imagine being one of those mothers whose babe Christ, in the flesh, touched. Don't you imagine those children grew up with proud stories of such a momentous occasion? Or maybe, they grew up so very humbled that He, God's Son, tousled their curly hair or to kissed their sweet, round cheeks! To be touched by Jesus...
We, too, can pass on that very story. My mother can tell you when each of her three children had their first "touch" by Jesus. Each of us at different ages, different stages, had our own unique experience. My mom still tears up when we as adults are operating in His service be it through singing, or testimony, or words of edification to others. I, too, can relate. My heart swells when I listen to my kids quote scriptures or say their prayers. It is the innocence and the humility that grabs me.
It is the innocent trust that grabs Him. Children love and trust instinctively and unconditionally. It is only through negative experiences and/or trauma that kids learn to distrust. We even teach them distrust for their protection from strangers with evil intent. Luke 18:17 reports Jesus as saying, "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” We must have that childlike faith to not only believe in God, whom we have not seen, but also to trust Him instinctively and unconditionally, to follow Him blindly. When we can do that, only then, can we enter the kingdom of God. It is my belief that not only refers to the Kingdom we speak of entering after death, but also His Kingdom right here on earth. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in this earth." This earth, this flesh. I can enter His Kingdom here as I abide in Him and He abides in me. Thus, His Kingdom comes and His will is done in me. I can rule and reign in heavenly places right here, right now. Victory in this life. If, I believe...
Mark 9:24 "...Lord, I believe! [Constantly] help my weakness of faith!"
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