From Altar : Only Kids Enter!

At one time the disciples wanted to know who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Here is another seekers key!

In the book of Matthew 18:1-4 (NIV), there is an interesting narrative involving the disciples and the Lord. For some strange reason their carnal nature kicked in and they tried to figure out the hierarchies of the kingdom. Perhaps one day they would sit in some high position in the kingdom and they just wanted to know the yardstick.

In verse 3 Jesus tells them that 'I tell you the truth, unless you CHANGE and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven'(emphasis mine). Wow. Ouch. You mean kids are greater than adults in God's kingdom? And if that is so, why?

In verse 4 He talks about humility as that of a child.  Now we get even more messed up because most kids are not that shy or humble, at least in the way most of us understand humility.

Then the light bulbs begin to turn on. Kids have the following traits:

1. Do anything and everything without thinking twice.
2. Have no major gripes with anyone for the most part.
3. Are always curious, searching, learning not as a chore but as an inbuilt reflex.
4. Love to play hide and seek (this one's mine at least anyway!!!)
5. Depend on their parents completely for everything
6. Have a fresh and often unrealistic view of reality
7. Go nuts when they see loving parents coming home after a long day or absence from home
8. Love unconditionally
9......keep adding your own!

Now you begin to see why Jesus asks us to change! We have rather become:

1. Indifferent and calculating and we call that maturity
2. We hold on to grudges and judge one another, often unfairly
3. Dislike random bursts of joy and laughter especially when they don't come from us (behave in a sober, adult manner to gain respect, if you please!)
4. This unconditional, irrational FAITH thing is a bit too much on the fringe for us. Too much fundamentalist, radical, reality dodging for a true Christian
5. We already consider ourselves great so why change and humble ourselves? That sounds self demeaning and status lowering. I'll hold on to my dignity, thank you!

6. Really, stop living in dreams and visions! God helps those who help themselves...hullooo!
7. Don't you know God is a serious God who needs some peace and quiet and wants people to grow up and 'be sober'? Keep the frivolity down please, I'm worshipping!
8. I'll love them when they stop calling me names, stop breaking God's commandments and pay me back what they owe me, dude! By the way Father, forgive me my trespasses!

Servant John Kagaruki

Though amusing and meant to tickle your funny bone, this is the status quo, the modus operandi of a people not hungry for God. Romans 12:1,2 talks about being transformed by the renewing of the mind and not being conformed any longer to the world. I am sure as you read this you are getting ready to put on the garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness.

The only way to enjoy and sustain His presence is to understand that we need to throw away inhibition, humble ourselves and call Him Daddy once more. We need to let Him know He is loved, and that we miss Him and that we wish he was always with us and didn't have to go away but would stay and play with us.

Now how about that game of hide and seek? He's hiding close by, just keep looking!

Be blessed!

John Kagaruki