Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4 ESV) Imagine with me for one moment, back to when you were a child. I don’t mean back to that obnoxious eight year old that you were; but further, when you were 4, 5 or 6 years old. Back then you knew no limits, and you weren’t jaded enough to hate everything around you yet. There were no insecurities, nor were there any fears, except for the sound of chattering dentures on the floor because your folks took you to see the first Batman movie in 1989 and that’s all you can remember. However, when you were a child you were “humble.” Humble in the sense that you were trusting, loving, and forgiving. Do you remember those days? Don’t you remember being joyful and happy, when you weren’t hungry or tired anyways. In fact, if it wasn’t for the fact that you were so needy and lowly therefore having to cling to your parents, except during playtime, you would wish to go back to those days where nothing would bum you out and trusting was easy, but so was forgiving and loving. Jesus tells us that if we live uninhibited like children, we would be the “greatest in heaven.” When you think about this, its an absurd statement. However, when you think about it some more, this is what we yearn for every single day of our lives– a child like simplicity in life. Relationships that aren’t so complicated; grudges and pains easily forgotten as our interest in them wanes; and just somebody to take care of you when you need it. Wow, talk about the amount of belief it takes to be a child. God doesn’t need us to have it all together and be grown up. Nor does He need us to be all that great or awesome on our own. What He really treasures is a mindset that can trust, love and forgive. That is a trust in God for your needs. A love overflowing with life to other people. And forgiveness that walks away without remembrance. Set your hearts to be humble like children and you won’t have to worry about what happens when you get to heaven.
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