Living Like A Kid Again

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 18:3


As we head into the month of December and closer to Christmas there will be plenty of social media clips of old home movies floating around the internet capturing Christmas through the eyes of a child.  There is something special about the look on the face of an excited child that is overcome with joy as they unwrap a gift that contains something they had only wised for. With a few grandchildren of our own my wife and I love their innocence in how they approach the holiday. They throughly enjoy the whole Christmas season, the lights, the decorations, the tree, the lawn decorations, the delicious foods and desserts, candies and the thought of snow. A few of our grandkids are reaching an age where they are beginning to understand Christmas is a celebration of Jesus birth into this world. They are drawn to nativity scenes, with all the animals surrounding the wise men, Jospeh and Marry, and the tiny baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger in the midst of them all. I love that they are so inquisitive. Oh to live like a kid again!

When I think about living like a kid again I recall a story in the Bible where Jesus was telling the disciples that the greatest in the kingdom are those who are converted and become like little children. Jesus wasn’t saying people are to become immature or to act childish. Jesus is telling us something we must take to heart. We are to become like little children in that children are completely dependent on someone else for basically everything in life. First and foremost our salvation is completely dependent upon Jesus. Like a little child trusts their parents to care for them, we trust Jesus to save us. God asks nothing else from us other than we trust Him by faith. Second, just a child is dependent on their parents for food and clothing and shelter Jesus tells us to not worry about all these things as our Heavenly Father knows what we have need of even before we ask. Becoming like a little child is trusting God to supply all of our needs by His riches and glory that are in Christ Jesus. Oh that we become like kids again this Christmas!

Do you want to enjoy the Christmas season more this year than in years past? Let me encourage you, live like a kid again! Determine to worry less and to trust Jesus more. Learn the lessons of the children. When the cares of this life seek to overwhelm you, think like a kid again and trust your Father, your Heavenly Father that is. Take God at His word and accept His invitation and cast all your cares upon Jesus knowing He cares for you. Learn the lesson of the children who come to Jesus and enjoy Him as the one who loved them and gave Himself for them. The children were not apprehensive about approaching Jesus. They could sense His love for them and joy He took in them being with Him. Children don’t worry where the money is going to come from to pay all the bills. Children want attention more than they want things. Jesus paid attention to the children and He enjoyed drawing them close. Nothing has changed. Oh that you and I would live like kids again!

Remember this about Christmas, it’s not the gifts that are under the tree that make Christmas special. Christmas is special because Jesus was born into this world to die upon a tree that all who would place their hope and trust in Him would not be disappointed. What makes Christmas special is Jesus. He is the reason for the season and nobody understood this better than children. Here’s to making this year the best Christmas ever, let’s determine now to learn to live like a kid again!

 
“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”

Matthew 18:5


I LOVE YOU!