Becoming little again

For me, the past two weeks have really been humbling. To give you a little background, last semester I was reluctantly looking towards the future, to the end of break and the start of my last academic adventure at Kutztown University. The reality of student teaching was not lighting a spark of enthusiasm within me as I engaged in conversations with my colleagues, family and friends. Through a lot of prayer, wrestling with God and a change of heart over the break; he has given me so much more than I could have ever imagined. It is ONLY by his love, patience and grace that my heart has changed.

"Now, to him who is able to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

Last week, I was thrown into the shoes of an elementary art teacher. I was here, the past three and a half years have brought me here. In a building full of little hands grazing the peppered walls containing dirty fingerprints, pink hairbands and overtly anxious boys running down the hall. "Slow down!" I find myself say, startled by my own assertiveness lingering in my voice. In response I get a look, and then see the abrupt change in pace. The day has begun.

As the day continues, I witness the character of these little ones. Their joy, the simple joy only a child can carry. A joy that isn't tainted with the suffering and frustrations that come with this life as we grow. I see their humble submission (most of the time willingly and without complaint) to their teachers. And finally, their love. A love that radiates and melts even the hardest of hearts. Through their care for a special needs student in their class with patience and love, glimpses of pure admiration for their teachers twinkling in their eyes and a gift of a hand drawn picture or letter and responses of regret spread through their bodies after caught in the act of misbehaving from their teachers.  The greatest in the kingdom of heaven are these, these little hearts.

Matthew 18: Jesus' disciples come to Jesus and ask him, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

v. 2 "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. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."  NIV

Humbly: Listen, Learn, Serve

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Proverbs 3:34

Children have a humility that is innocent and reverent. They know they are under authority: of their parents, their teachers and of God. At times, they do challenge that authority as they get older, but I think Jesus wanted his disciples to understand and see their humble hearts and that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven have a true heart of humility such as a child.


Listen: As God's children, we are commanded to listen. Listen to God's word and his convictions, to our pastor and elders, and to authorities we may be under. Notice a young child's willingness and humility when they are instructed. They are quick to want and earn favor in how they listen to those who care for and instruct them. How often do we question (not saying that questioning is wrong ) but when we are constantly questioning, challenging and complaining to God about his convictions, or simply refusing to listen to his word, are we really obeying him?

What if in our relationship with Christ, we stopped, sat and listened like a small child. Willing and eager to listen to what God had in store like a child; excited.

Learn: As we mature and grow in our faith we learn more about what God wants for our lives, how to live out our faith and how God's word applies to our lives. 

"And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." Matthew 23:12

A child willingly accepts instruction in the hopes of learning, once they do, they radiate joy and excitement. What if in our relationship with Christ, we humbled ourselves in order to learn from what God's word is showing us and through that, we remain humble as we help others learn? 

Serve: In the classroom, I have experienced such service from little ones, not for any gain but the fulfillment in helping out a classmate. Such beauty lies in those innocent acts of service. As Christians, we are called to serve. I know for me I take service and treat it as an avenue to glorify myself and as a result, I become self-rightous and prideful.  

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4

In our relationship with Christ, humbly serving not only brings life and love to the ones we serve, but gives glory to our father in heaven!  

Friends, Jesus took the time to share with his disciples the humility and innocence of a child's heart. This humility such as a child's reveals beauty in how we are to live out our lives for Christ. To Humbly: Listen, Learn and Serve.