March 1

Growing Young

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 33:12-22 | Leviticus 24:1-25:46 | Mark 10:13-31 | Proverbs 10:20-21

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Mark 10:13-31

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:14-15 TNIV).

What were the “kingdom qualities” that Jesus saw in children? Why must we become like children to enter into this kingdom?

Children, of course, are far from perfect. Yet there are some wonderful qualities: creativity, lots of joy, imagination, not to mention being loving, curious and trusting.

I think it must be the quality of child-like trust that was especially in Jesus mind as he made these statements. Children have an ability to trust that we often lose as we grow older and become more jaded and cynical.  

We get hurt and our wounds make us suspicious. When we can’t make sense of the difficulties of life, we sometimes find ourselves disappointed with God. Then it becomes difficult to really trust.

But to children trust seems to just come naturally. I think this is why Jesus tells us that to enter into the Kingdom we must become like little children. To enter into the fullness of kingdom life, we must live by faith and trust in Jesus each step of the journey. We must move beyond our hurts, doubts and disappointments to renew our childlike trust.

Oh how much we miss out on, because we haven’t learned to grow young—because we’ve lost the ability to trust. Open your heart to Jesus. Learn to trust him—to trust him as a little child.

Lord Jesus, I open up my heart to trust you. Heal my wounded heart. Fill me with joy, with wonder, and curiosity. Give me the grace of a fresh start to trust you as a child. Amen.