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Truly I say to you,

unless you change and become like children

you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3

 

Good morning dear sister!

I hope this day finds you loving Jesus and moving forward!

Perhaps that is a bit of a challenge first thing in the morning! My friend, who also happens to be my proofreader, blog sender and a night owl, made me laugh the other day when she commented that I’m “so very chipper”! Please forgive me if I’ve trod on your not-quite-ready-to-start-your-day feelings.

When I was single, I used to get annoyed at those pesky birds chirping happily outside my bedroom window, didn’t they know that I was trying to sleep? Then I got married, and had little children happily chirping at my bedside every morning! I didn’t get annoyed at them, just so you know.

What is it about children that makes them eligible to enter into the kingdom of God?

Children are humble, curious and teachable. They are inquisitive and ask us adults hard questions like, “how high is the sky?” They are hungry for knowledge and understanding about the world around them! They are so open to any explanation that we must take care to tell them the truth.

Why be truthful with them? Because children are trusting. They don’t know any better! As adults, we must be careful to teach them the truth of God! They need to be protected from the lies of this world. They need to have an advocate that they can trust to show them a good path.

Speaking of paths, to a child, all of the world is a wonder and a miracle! Nature is boundless entertainment and everything is beautiful. They will pick you a bouquet of weeds and present it with joy and love. Every day is a delight! If they are taught that God has made every living thing and the earth that we dwell on, they will grow up to love Him and respect His creation. 

Children are joyful! (or ‘chipper’ you might say) There is nothing in this world so joyful as the genuine ring of children’s laughter. It is pure joy; not cynical, sarcastic or bitter. I wonder if the source of that joy is the fact that they feel safe, they know they are loved and that this world is a magnificent place and playground!

Think about it; why would Jesus, talking to adults, say that first we must change? As we grow out of childhood and begin to see with the eyes of the world, we are often corrupted in our ways of thinking or living life. If so, we have moved far from God, His purposes and His kingdom.

Can we crawl back into our mothers’ womb to regain our childhood innocence? No, that would be impossible. But with God, all things are possible! He has made a way for us to regain that childhood innocence by the washing of the Word and the blood of Jesus, our Savior! Only then are we ‘born again’ into His kingdom! (John 3:3-7)

Not only that, we don’t wait until we die to enter His kingdom, we enter into His kingdom as soon as we are spiritually reborn! The kingdom of God is with us wherever we are because His Spirit lives in us! Now we have a relationship with our Father! He is attentive and answers all of our questions when we ask. If we are teachable, we will gain knowledge and understanding that will draw us ever closer to Him. (Jer 33:3)

We can trust our heavenly Father. His Word is full of promises and wisdom that is true! If we approach Him with honesty and humility, He will teach us how to lead a fruitful and satisfying life! He is our faithful Father who never makes mistakes. (James 4:10)

We can enjoy the wonder and beauty of all of God’s creation! We have the God-given ability to contemplate His glory and the glory of the sun, moon, stars and planets, bringing our bouquet of praise and love to the One who loves us so! (Is 6:3)

And the joy….. Oh praise God for the joy that He gives in the midst of all the chaos and confusion of this world! As a trusting child, we need to keep our eyes fixed on the only One who can save us! (Neh 8:10)

We can never interrupt our God, who neither slumbers nor sleeps. He does not get annoyed when we come to Him! He has lots and lots of room in His house, and no matter how old we grow, we will always be His children! (Ps 121:4,  John 14:2-6)

So, my dear one, I ask in love, have you changed and become like a child in the eyes of God? In what kingdom do you dwell? I hope your dwelling place is right next door to mine!

Oooh, I’m feeling chipper! 

Lots of love from, your sister, Celeste