from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church http://bit.ly/2W4fSqk
via IFTTT To be a humble child of God. What does it mean to be a child? A humble child? Looking at the context of this scripture is wye opening, and heart touching. The disciples were arguing over who would be the greatest in heaven. They were comparing their abilities, their accomplishments, their talents, their strength and using those worthless things to judge who God would reward most in heaven. Jesus comes back and says "you have it all backwards!" A child, a him humble child is dependent, not self sufficient. A child can not even get through a day without parents help. How does he eat? Where does he sleep? How does he protect himself? A child is totally dependent on the parent. Totally. For everything, everyday. And yet that child enjoys that dependency. They do not think of themselves lowly for it. A child feels peace and rest in the father's ability. A child trusts in "my dad if bigger than your dad", not in his own ability. A child does not worry about the future, he plays, free to enjoy his day because he just knows his dad is taking care of him. A child's strength comes from his father. That is the picture of the gospel. Total absolute helplessness bathed in total absolute dependency on Christ for every situation of every day bringing peace in the storm unfathomable in the world. How often have you relied on your own talents to get through the day? How often have you faces a challenge with "I can do this" mustering up self confidence to take on the challenge? How often have you sought to strengthen yourself to overcome the battle ? How often have you thought "I must remain positive"? That is not the life of a child. When a humble child is treatened or hurt, he runs to dad. He cries "Abba Father!". He does not stand and fight on his own, he cries for protection, guidance. Remember, as your thoughts drift back now into the world's wisdom, we are talking about a "little child" not a teenager. Jesus pulled a little child to Himself to demonstrate this. Let's say, a 4 year old. A child. That is what must be to find peace. We are to realize that we can not live life on our own terms. We are NOT to achieve success apart from total dependence on God. We are not to search through self-help books for the answer. We are not to use our own will power. We are not to rely on our strengths at all. Why? Because we will fail. Think of Job. Job was singled out by God to loose everything. Could Job have resisted? Could Job have succeeded on his own? Is Job above God? No. Job became like a child, humble and submissive, after he lost everything. Think of Jonah. He was a capable prophet. He heard from heaven, but decided on his own path. Could Job have escaped the hand of God? Could Job calm the storm? Could Job rescue himself from the belly of the fish? No. In the end Job humbles himself and relied on God. Think of Moses. Could Moses overpower pharaoh? Could Moses persuade him? Could Moses force the release of the Israelites? No. Moses was powerless and humble like a child. Yet today the call of the church, of God's children, seems to be "I don't need God!" Sure was give lip service to "must be saved to get to heaven" but then we spend our days relying on our own strength, abilities, talents. We seek health and peace through professionals, medicines, therapies. We seek to get wiser, stronger, more capable. Through education, practice, work. That is not the gospel! Give up! Become like a child! Rest in "my father is greater than yours, my dad can do anything" and know that he will, when you step out of the way. Radical thinking. Success through dependence. Strength through weakness. But this brings peace. Five up and life today as a child. Depend on your heavenly dad for your very existence. Let Him be the dad He seems to be, and rest, play, enjoy life.
