"Act Like A Child"

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'  Then Jesus...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.'"  (Matthew 18)

Does anyone really believe this?  Just stop for a moment and consider who you think is "great" in the Kingdom.  Did a little child come to your mind?  You have heard the phrase, "Grow up."  Maybe not. 

Face it; when most speak of "great" Christians, they speak of  "mature Christians" (which I sometimes wonder what they mean by that).  They think of great "people of faith," miracle workers, leaders, and here's one for you, "Seasoned intercessor."  Our Lord Jesus strongly warns us of such attitudes.

The older we get the greater the pride, more to defend, justify, rationalize.  Of course, children are not innocent or without sin.  Yet there is still a "searching" mode, a sense of wonder about life.  Like you and me, they may "misbehave" at times, but even then the wonder is still there.  When I read that Jesus tells us to be, "converted and become as little children," a sense of wonder is what I think of, personages who know nothing or very little about life, but are, as we often say of little children, "wide-eyed."

I have encountered people in my life time who think they are inferior, not of much "use" in life.  Maybe that is a good place to start.  They have less to be proud of than the "big shots."  The Bible says, "Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought...."  The danger of thinking, "more highly," increases with age.  In Jesus Christ, however, it decreases with "age."  Here is "a word" for the Church in 2019, "Be converted and become as little children." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive me for any times I sought "greatness" the wrong way.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2