Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
Recently i have had the privilege of watching over a 6 year old daughter of my friend. Now i love kids very much, and since leaving Japan 2 1/2 years ago, have not had so much opportunity to be closely involved with them until coming to be a teacher in a school last August. But a school setting and a home setting are quite different, bringing out different attributes of character etc.
Somehow i never really grew out of a childlike mentality in some areas. That being good or bad, others may judge, but i have never really joined in the standard adult games of lying, looking down on or up to others, trying to win others to your point of view and so on. Just tell the truth, believe others, do your best, expect the same from others, love God first, hope others do too (especially SDAs), and love your neighbor as yourself – not causing anyone trouble, and expecting no one to intentionally cause you trouble either.
“Uncle Daniel, why do they want to eat yucky pig?” is asked of me while we walk past dead, pink carcasses hanging in a row in the market. “Because many people think it tastes yummy.” “But why?” “Either they don’t know God, or don’t want to do what he says.” “Why don’t they know God?” “Maybe no one has told them, or maybe they know but are too busy getting money.” “But why do they want money?” “Do you like to eat?” “Yes.” “Your daddy and mommy work to feed your belly. They work so they get money to get you food and other things you need.” “But why?” “God said it is good for us to work”. Now coming to this point, i get taught a good lesson. I’ve told my close Brothers and Sisters that God has the biggest bank account in the world. He owns everything. But….do i live my life like that, with the simple faith that he will provide if we do everything according to his will?
Walking with her thru the metropolis of Bangkok helps me see things that i’ve come to take for granted, from a fresh eye. It also has helped me see that nearly everything us adults do is bad – from our food to our music to our pollution to our clothes to our language to many of our businesses – the list goes on and on. It is sickening to look at how nearly everything man touches goes bad.
The “But why?” questions never get tiresome. In fact, it is a pleasure to hear them, as it makes the mind think in new and creative ways. “But why?” (after explaining that some people worship that big tree with the red ribbons hanging from it). “But why?” (after being told that trash is everywhere because many people don’t care about this world) “But why?” (after being told that the drawing of Jesus’ nail prints is incorrect – that they really should be shown in the palms of his hands).
Even this simple question tho is often looked down on by adults who are too busy with their own lives to consider things from a newly-functioning brain’s perspective. Why not spend that extra minute letting the children know that we really are interested in them, rather than brushing them off? Sure hope Jesus doesn’t get tired of our questions!!!
So in my manner of leaving the school, i understand i gave an impression i had not intended. And in “doing unto others what you want them to do unto you”, i have made people angry. Yesterday while walking along the road it hit me that i am so naive, that i just don’t fit in anywhere in this world – 46 years and still know very little about how this world thinks, and why people do the things they do. (One thing i do know well, is what money is: time, energy, and someone else’s valuation. This is very important information). Of course immediately i also thot “yuck. I don’t want to know all this garbage. I don’t want to know how people normally think. I want to know something that will last forever. Actually, i just want the truth – straight, unvarnished truth. Give it to me, like an ocean, and it shall make me free indeed 🙂
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise.
Of course i want to grow in knowledge of Jesus, grow in grace, in truth, in love. I want to be perfect as Jesus said i must be, even as my Father in heaven is. At the same time, want to be like a little child – simple towards evil rejecting it, and simple towards good – accepting it.
There is a temptation with the little ones to punish them harshly for things they have done, small and big. After all, it is true that you should not spoil the child, and they need correction. But the correction must always be done in love, never out of a hasty temper. I have fallen once or twice with this little one, but when i come to her for forgiveness, she has always freely forgiven me. That humble, trusting heart is so beautiful to behold – something that is very, very rare among the adults i have ever met. Nearly all adults try to justify themselves instead of thinking how to best please God, do his will, and think of their Brothers or Sisters as better than themselves.
Sure, she does do some naughty things from time to time. And she is forgetful. But what is that compared to a proud heart of most adults? Talking to her in love, explaining the bad thing she has done, and then applying the necessary pressure on her behind if necessary is what God’s inspired counsel says to do to correct her. But how to correct an adult with a proud heart? Even Jesus could break very few of the stony hearts of the Pharisees in his day. This Bible text comes to mind: “(Ecclesiastes 4:13) Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.”
I tried to post this last nite, but the internet connection kept going out. Then, for bedtime worship, the father of the house where i was staying had us read Romans 12. “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.” I told them that was one reason i really like to be with their daughter – she is humble. Last week when i reproved her for getting angry when showing pride, she very quickly agreed to kneel on the bed and ask “Dear Jesus, please forgive me”. Nearly all adults i know would say: “Don’t judge”, or something else to avoid having to humble their hearts before God.
Then Jesus called a little child to him, set him in the midst of them, and said. “Assuredly, i say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in my name receives me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea…….Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for i say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven….Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
May we become converted, and as little children, become naive to the evil, and humble ourselves before everyone.