Child

Scripture

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)

“He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-3 (NIV)

But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” Luke 22:26 (NIV)

Are you still a child? If you are reading this and you have passed the age of 18 your answer is likely, no! You might say, "I am a grown man or woman!" Are we all still acting as children? If you are now thinking how dare I question you as an adult! Well, before you stop reading because you are now in your feelings consider this one thing for me, we are all still acting as children? I said we because I’m talking to myself as well.

While I am typing this I wonder if I am still acting as a child. I am not a child psychologist, nor do I have degrees in early childhood development. However, I do have quite a bit of experience as a child. I was a child for 18 years. Additionally, my experience comes from raising children. Finally, while I am now an adult I have been known to act like a child from time to time. Those are my qualifications to speak on the topic of childhood. I hope you have made this far in reading this daily devotional. I promise I have a point to make.

When I was a child I was an emotional kid. The slightest little thing would have me in my own feelings. I thought the world owed me something. Until one day my father explained to me very clearly the world doesn’t owe me anything! I didn’t often take responsibility for my own actions, and I would attempt to place blame elsewhere when I was in trouble. One of the other struggles as a child was time management. Let my mom tell it, a sloth was faster than me getting ready for school in the morning. While I try to put all of those things behind me, of course some of those creep into my adulthood at times.

Now after saying all that I encourage you to be more like little children. At this point I’m sure you are thinking to yourself, “do what now?” Yes, we should become more like little children, the way Jesus envisioned it. These are not my words, but these are the words of Jesus. This is a quote directly from Jesus, in Matthew 18:2-3, “He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus said this to the disciples because they were acting like children, but not in a good way. They wanted to know from Jesus who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Yes, the disciples wanted to know, just like children, which one of us do our parents love more. Jesus said, the person that is willing to become like a child and be a servant is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Take a look at Mark 9:35, “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

As children we served our parents to show obedience and respect. As adults we should be serving our Heavenly Father. No matter where we are in your Christian journey, we should be servants first. That looks different for each person depending on where you are in life. Serve by helping a family member, volunteer at your church, donate to a charity, or simply be available to someone in need! We can always find a way to serve, and usually you don’t have to look very hard for an opportunity. Those are some of the many ways we can become the type of child Jesus wants us to be. Remember we are children of God!