Thursday, February 24, 2011

Humble like a child

This past week we had a FANTASTIC Bible study talking about what it means to "walk humbly" with God. We are look at Micah 6:8 as a church and studying and praying about how we can apply it. I could go on and on about all the good stuff packed in there, but here is one thing that stuck out to me. I have heard the "faith like a child" verses many times, and always liked the concept, but knew there was more to it than I was getting or applying. Now, I have a child. I am starting to get it.

Matthew puts it this way in chapter 18:
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

I don't know about you, but "humble" has not been one of the first words that comes to my mind when describing children. But think about it. A child knows, depends on, and lives their need for Mommy and Daddy. They accept the love and help given them because they know they need it and know that it is good. They don't second guess it, they don't overanalyze it, they aren't ashamed of it. This is a huge part of what humility looks like. It's not a "woe is me; I'm horrible and can't do anything" attitude. It is realizing who God is, who you are, and acting accordingly.
Like children, who are not shy about expressing the feelings of "I need Mommy--I need her now--I need only her." Noah has very much been in that mood lately. And although the carrying around 20 pounds of clingy toddler and being the only one he wants to do so can get exhausting, what a special bond to share with my son and what a good reminder to me of bigger things.
"I need God--I need Him now--I need only Him." Isn't that what faith pretty much boils down to? Why must we question those things so much as adults? What if we really lived like the children that we are? (For one thing, I would be a whole lot better at the walking humbly with God thing that I am now.)
Well, I'm off to try to be more like my kid.
Thank you, Lord, for my wonderful, precious child and everything you are teaching me through him.

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