February 17, 2021
We can learn a thing or two from children about JOY. Jesus pointed this out to His disciples in Mark 10:13-16:
13 And they kept bringing young children to Him that He might touch them, and the disciples were reproving them [for it]. 14 But when Jesus saw [it], He was indignant and pained and said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me - do not forbid or prevent or hinder them - for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] positively shall not enter it at all.” (AMPC)
My born again spirit lives in the Kingdom realm. The Kingdom is all around me right now, every moment of every day. Jesus is urging His disciples to enter into it and live in it every day. But how?
In the Leadership International article titled 5 Ways We Enter the Kingdom like a Child,* the author says one of the ways we enter the kingdom like a child is JOYFULLY. Little children are joyful because of what they focus on. They are not fearfully distracted by the cares and worries of the world. Sure, some of that is blissful ignorance, but wait! I choose where to focus my thought life. Once I do everything I can to manage the bad situation I am facing, I can and must shift my thought life to what is good around me and in my life. Snowflakes and sunshine and soft cozy blankets.
Another way the article says we enter into the Kingdom is expectantly. What do I expect to happen today? Am I expecting good stuff or bad stuff? What if I started each morning expecting good? Getting excited about the day ahead? The morning I read this passage from Mark, I thought about the fact that the Kingdom is already around me right now and I can access it at any time. So I asked myself, out loud, “What will happen in the Kingdom today?” Immediately, my spirit was uplifted and I felt a hopefulness for the day ahead! I had something to look forward to today. It was a powerful moment.
Little children focus on the good and expect good things. That is why they respond JOYFULLY to the little things in life. If they can do that, I can too!
*5 Ways We Enter the Kingdom Like a Child, Leadership International, September 13, 2017 https://www.leadershipintl.org/2017/09/13/enter-kingdom-like-children/
