In a now cherished moment of quiet solitude, I sat at my desk and pondered the resiliency of young toddlers. They are peculiar little creatures, exploring the world through an awkward, wobbly walk. But, consider how quickly they develop--in a year or so, these little humanoids learn how to walk. Subsequently, they begin forming syllables and then, full words to the utter delight of their parents and close loved ones. We behave as if the syllables "ma ma" are the best thing we've heard all of our lives; but, they're a natural part of the growth process inherent in the beauty of God's design.
I recalled watching a toddler in church. After the conclusion of the service, the adults were all standing around conversing and he embarked on his wobbly walk: moving through our legs like an expectant, alert hunter walking through a forest of tall trees. Unsurprisingly, after making marked progress, he fell down--plop! The descent of his backside to the carpet was immediately followed by an all-encompassing, glaring grin of jubilation: the kind of grin that comes upon you when you are laughing from the inside out. Consider that for a moment and contrast it to the typical response of us adults to temporary setbacks.
He [the toddler] wanted nothing more than to run and be free to explore the corners of that meeting room and yet, when confronted with an obstacle to his desire, he grinned. He wasn't offended, he didn't even cry. He grinned, got up, and kept on with his wobbly walk. Jesus’ desire was for us to have childlike faith and receive the kingdom as little children. When setbacks come your way, practice your wobbly walk.
“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 (New King James Version)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for joining the conversation!