The Heart of a Child
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be fnadded to you.” Jesus
Matthew 6:33 NASB
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:1-3 NASB
We are called to seek first the kingdom of God. How do we do that? We seek the King! How should we seek the King? We seek Him as a child seeks after the arms of his/her daddy!
I pastor a small body of believers in my home each week. Some of my children attend with their children - my grandchildren. One recent Wednesday night during worship, which I lead from the piano, one of my grandsons, Ronald, made quite the impression on my heart. A bit about Ronald…
Ronald (16 months old) is the second-born sibling to older brother, Cullen. Cullen (2+ years of age) makes a beeline for my outstretched arms as soon as he comes inside the room. Ronald does the same…which makes my heart leap each and every time.
During worship, we allow the children to participate freely…which means dancing around the room, playing away! We have to put up barricades so as to keep Ronald from trying to get to me at the piano. This past worship session I am speaking of, Ronald found a way to get to me! Before his parents knew it he was at my side! I felt a ‘presence’ to my right side…from which Ronald had emerged, having found a way through the barricade! Not wanting to break the flow, I picked him up with my right hand as I played with my left. By this time, his daddy had come to help. I simply passed Ronald behind my back, lifting him over my shoulder to his dad!
The picture of the kingdom was painted indelibly on all our minds in that moment! Ronald sought to get to me, going around barriers, traversing obstacles, and finding a way to get to his objective! Eyes full of wonder and heart full of joy at having accomplished his pursuit - relationship with me via my outstretched arms - Ronald demonstrated the heart of a seeker…and one who finds the kingdom!
What if we sought the kingdom and the King like a child? What would that look like?
We would be laser-focused, just like little Ronald. Single-minded!
We would have hearts full of joy as we pursue our goal. Joy in the journey!
We would be full of wonder and awe in pursuit of relationship with the King…just as Ronald’s eyes were fixed and full of wonder, never taking his eyes off of me!
We would not let anything stand between us and our King.
We would not be deterred.
We would rejoice at every sighting of our King.
We would seek Him as if our life depended upon it.
We would not be satisfied until we found the King.
We would rejoice in the smile of the One we seek.
We would be mesmerized by the look of love and acceptance on His face.
We would have no doubt of the King’s love for us.
We would run to His arms at every opportunity.
We would trust His arms.
We would just enjoy BEING with Him…
Seek the King like a child and find the joy of the Kingdom.
Dennis Jernigan