You Are Childish

Our verse for today is Matthew 18:1-3.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 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. 

So yes! I want to be childlike? Usually when we say someone is childish it is an insult. Not according to Jesus. According to Jesus, childlike is a desired state.

Obviously, Jesus is not saying that we need to be afraid at night or unable to provide for ourselves, but there are many things about being a child which we ought to immulate.

We ought to live a joyful life. One of the things we all enjoy about children is their laugher. According to several studies, children laugh much more often than adults. The average number of laughs per day for children is around 300, while for adults it is only 17. This doesn’t mean they laugh at jokes more, it means that they laugh at the things in life.

In joy, make me childish.

We ought to be forgiving. 

Children who get upset with one another over whose turn it is, or whose toy to use, in the space of a few minutes make a new bond of friendship and forgive one another.

In forgiveness, make me childish.

This list could go on and on, but maybe you ought to do your own list. What is it about a child that you admire? Today we would all be served by going back to our spirit of youth. The poet said, “Age is not a state of mind…” Maybe not, but sometimes it is. 

Today, let’s go back to being a child, at least part of the day.

Lonnie Davis