Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those in need. Luke 9:11
Testimony
The whole course is exceptional very relevant to me. I have gone away with a lot to think about. I have learnt that I don't have just to cope and be so independent. God is good & loves me, even me!.... Read More...

Seeds of the Kingdom

Like a Child

by Roger Pook

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.
Mark 10:15, ESV

This verse was in a daily reading recently, and it suddenly struck me – does God really want us to be like children in our faith? Unthinking and undiscerning? Surely not! Then I started to ponder what really occupies the mind of a small child – and also, what does not occupy a child’s mind, at least in a stable and loving home. Of course, some of us did not have a home like this, but we’re thinking for a moment about an ideal home.

Does a small child think about being loved? Not often! It's just a part of life, taken almost for granted.

Does a child think about constant care and protection? Not at all! They are simply there, in place. If you need urgent help, just call and help comes running.

Does a child think about the provision of a home, clothes or meals? Not at all! They are simply there, in place. They are just part of life, like breathing.

So what then does a child notice or think about? It’s the things which require an action or a change in attitude, like education or discipline.

A child also notices and appreciates the things which make life enjoyable. Praise. Gifts. Celebrations such as birthdays or Christmas. Holidays. Games. Friends. And of course, quality time spent with parents.

Something very special for a child is to be with a parent while the parent does something, just to watch them, maybe to "help" even though not fully understanding. Maybe going for walks together. Or sitting on a lap, and hearing a story. All of these strengthen the place of the child in the family. The child will not forget them.

So, what can we learn about the words of Jesus in Mark 10:15 from this? We are not to wonder if God loves or cares for us (Luke 15). Neither should we be anxious about what we eat or wear. (Matthew 6:31). But we must learn to notice if God is teaching, correcting or disciplining us. Most importantly, we have to spend constructive quality time with our Heavenly Father. Then we will truly enter the Kingdom of God – like a child.

Prayer: Father, I want to be truly Your child. Show me how to recognise the things that you are doing in my life, and draw me closer to spend more quality time with You – watching as You work, following You to new places, understanding Your discipline, and listening as You speak. In Jesus’ name – Amen.

Roger Pook For 21 years Roger Pook and his wife Christine served in Central and Eastern Europe, based in Hungary at the Úr Rétje centre of Ellel Ministries. From there they travelled and ministered across the length and breadth of the former communist world. In 2018 Roger retired as Regional Director and they now live back in the UK, where Roger still serves on the Executive Leadership and as a trustee of The Christian Trust. They still travel for the Kingdom!

 

Sign Up Now

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.