Today's Journal

BECOMING LIKE CHILDREN

Madeleine L’Engle (1918-2007) American author wrote:

“Isaiah knew himself to be mortal and flawed, but he had the child’s courage to say to the Lord, ‘Here am I. Send me.’” (Isaiah 6:8) And he understood the freedom which the Spirit can give us from ordinary restrictions when he wrote, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you.” (Isaiah 43:2) … It may be that we have lost our ability to hold a blazing coal, to move unfettered through time, to walk on water, because we have been taught that such things have to be earned; we should deserve them; we must be qualified. We are suspicious of grace. We are afraid of the very lavishness of the gift. But a child rejoices in presents!” (From: ‘Walking on Water’)

There may be many reasons why Jesus encouraged us to ‘become like children.’ Perhaps the greatest reason is so ‘we will rejoice in receiving presents.’

“Truly I tell you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus