Child's Play?
One calm day, I sat down with my mother and we opened a giant book of records, this particular one dedicated to me. The book had my middle name, Lutanda, written in the front and each page had small vital details about me, from my birth date and time, to simple dates like when I first laughed. One particular detail that caught my eye was the date when I first walked (no, I won't share the date!). I asked my mother whether that day was when I successfully walked.
"Yes," she replied "But you had fallen several times before you could actually walk."
This simple story happened ages ago, but something dawned on me not too long ago on how this can be a vital lesson.
How about we start to think like children for a second?
Most times, we associate our childhood days with fun, laughter...and "childish" behaviour. As we grew older and recap on our former days, we remember the silly things we did in the past and are mostly glad that we grew out of it (which we call maturity).
This was my perspective of life, but I was surprised when I read Mark 12:10.
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus was passing through a town, and all the mothers brought their children to Him for His blessing. Unfortunately, the disciples turned them away and told them that Jesus was very busy, and He had no time for this. Much to their surprise, Jesus said "Anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."(12:10).
I wondered continually what He meant until it dawned on me an important lesson we could carry in our lives.
If there is one thing about the walk with God is that it is an interesting journey. Some parts will have smooth roads, some rough journeys. Due to you moving, you are bound to fall down many times. It is very easy to get discouraged but you need perserverance like a child.
How? Have you ever observed a toddler trying to walk? He/she takes a few steps then falls down, but surprisingly he gets up again, laughing, and tries to walk. This process continues and actually perfects the child's step until one day, he/she can walk a long distance without falling.
.
We all went through this process as children; it is instictive. How about we carry the same mindset in the things we do for Christ, or new goals we try? We are bound to fail and fall when we try something new, but get up and try again. It was those same toddlers legs that became legs that ran great races or conquered great nations. Imagine if you gave up at that point, thinking that you have fallen too many times, maybe walking isn't for you. You would probably not be where you are now, for those same legs took you places you didn't imagine as a child.
Enjoy the process for the child laughs even when he/she falls down. Remember a fall may be a chance to see how high you will bounce back.
Looking at things in this perspective, I finally understood what Jesus meant: The Kingdom of God is received by those who are willing to perservere till the end but enjoy the process , regardless of the season.
Think Different.
Guide. Light. Inspire.
"Yes," she replied "But you had fallen several times before you could actually walk."
This simple story happened ages ago, but something dawned on me not too long ago on how this can be a vital lesson.
How about we start to think like children for a second?
Most times, we associate our childhood days with fun, laughter...and "childish" behaviour. As we grew older and recap on our former days, we remember the silly things we did in the past and are mostly glad that we grew out of it (which we call maturity).
This was my perspective of life, but I was surprised when I read Mark 12:10.
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus was passing through a town, and all the mothers brought their children to Him for His blessing. Unfortunately, the disciples turned them away and told them that Jesus was very busy, and He had no time for this. Much to their surprise, Jesus said "Anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."(12:10).
I wondered continually what He meant until it dawned on me an important lesson we could carry in our lives.
If there is one thing about the walk with God is that it is an interesting journey. Some parts will have smooth roads, some rough journeys. Due to you moving, you are bound to fall down many times. It is very easy to get discouraged but you need perserverance like a child.
How? Have you ever observed a toddler trying to walk? He/she takes a few steps then falls down, but surprisingly he gets up again, laughing, and tries to walk. This process continues and actually perfects the child's step until one day, he/she can walk a long distance without falling.
.
We all went through this process as children; it is instictive. How about we carry the same mindset in the things we do for Christ, or new goals we try? We are bound to fail and fall when we try something new, but get up and try again. It was those same toddlers legs that became legs that ran great races or conquered great nations. Imagine if you gave up at that point, thinking that you have fallen too many times, maybe walking isn't for you. You would probably not be where you are now, for those same legs took you places you didn't imagine as a child.
Enjoy the process for the child laughs even when he/she falls down. Remember a fall may be a chance to see how high you will bounce back.
Looking at things in this perspective, I finally understood what Jesus meant: The Kingdom of God is received by those who are willing to perservere till the end but enjoy the process , regardless of the season.
Think Different.
Guide. Light. Inspire.
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