Like A Child

One early spring day I was headed to town.  It wasn’t super warm and my heater in the car was on.  I came up a street and saw a little child in only diapers in her yard, her hands lifted high dancing and singing in the sunshine.  Can you picture her?  Hair all tossled, just enjoying life.  Free, not a care in the world.

“When did I lose that kind of joy?” was my first thought.  In Matthew 18 and Luke 18 Jesus said to let the children come to him and not get in their way.  He also said that anyone who would not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.  I know God loves me.  I was created in His image.  He’s made a way, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, for me to be adopted as His daughter.  When I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior I was made free.  I will spend eternity in God's presence.  What's wrong with me?  I should be dancing with joy, just like that little child, without a care in the world.

Jesus also told the story of the different types of soil and the seeds that were dropped on it.  Matthew 13:22 says one seed represents the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke him, making him unfruitful.  Is that me?  Is that you?  Are we letting the world choke us of joy?  If I am to receive the kingdom of God like a little child I need to realize that God, my father, wants the best for me and I need to remember that every day.  There is nothing I can do to make Him love me more or less.  But I also want to make Him happy because He loves me so much.  That's why I want to be full of joy and do the things that will bring honor and glory to Him.  

Who can we share our joy with today?  You and I have everything we need.  Let's show the world the joy that is ours through Christ.