He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:2-4
Robert Fulghum, author of the classic, All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten, is asked to speak in a variety of different venues that range from classrooms to corporate headquarters. He has remarked about the vast difference between his audiences of children and audiences of adults. For instance, if he asked an audience of children if they liked to sing and dance, everyone would respond gleefully. If he went on to ask them if they would like to join him on stage to sing and dance, nearly everyone eagerly volunteers. In the corporate adult crowd if the same questions were asked, a few might respond that they enjoyed singing and dancing, however, you would be hard pressed to find a single volunteer to join him on stage.
What happened? Why the vast difference? I often wonder when and why these changes take place in our lives as we grow from children to adults.
Jesus taught again and again in the Gospels that we need to have childlike faith in order to connect with God. Our faith in God needs to be marked by characteristics like humility, dependence, trust, and wonder. As we watch our children perform this week, let us pray that each of us develops a renewed, unashamed, passionate, childlike faith in God.
