Good morning…
At last night’s wedding and reception, it was fascinating to watch the children. A few were crying loudly, unsettled by some discomfort. Some were dancing freely, spinning, swirling, jumping with joy. Older ones were helping younger ones, holding hands, kindly guiding. Still others were completely exhausted, sacked out in their parents’ arms. It was great fun to watch the children; lots of strong emotions popped out on full display.
I could not help but think of the contrast between how we act as stoic adults. When asked how we are feeling, too often we say, “I’m fine.” I recently learned a new acronym. “Fine” stands for “Feelings Inside Not Expressed.”
At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?”
For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom… Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me (Matthew 18:1-5, MSG).
The heading above this segment of Scripture reads: “Whoever Becomes Simple Again.”
From the perspective of Jesus, who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom? Whoever becomes simple again. Crying. Dancing. Jumping with joy. Helping. Holding hands. Kindly guiding. When exhausted, we rest in our Daddy’s arms.
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” (Romans 8:15, MSG).
Through our tears, through our fears, through every emotion that rears, we simply greet God in the given moment. “What’s next, Papa?”
…Sue…
