Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 29, 2018
Therefore anyone who humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And any of you who welcomes a little child like this because you are mine is welcoming me and caring for me. Matthew 18:4-5, Living Bible
Wilson Lee was born a few weeks ago. He is our baby daughter’s first baby—joy unspeakable! Five days after his birth, swaddled and sweet, I asked my son-in-law what he thought about his son. “Boyd, he poops, pees, eats, sleeps and is high maintenance, but I love him so much”! Tyler went on, “My deep love for Wilson reminds me of how much God loves me—in spite of my messy condition”. Wow, a 28 year old who truly understands and enjoys the Lord’s lavish love. My heavenly Father loves me in my mess and stress, so I can welcome, care for and love others.
Jesus is illustrating to his ambitious disciples the need to deflate their egos and inflate their humble hearts. Greatness to God is childlike vulnerability that gladly acknowledges a deep dependence on the Lord. A neediness only the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit can fulfill. Furthermore, birthed out of our childlike faith is the thoughtful and intentional love towards little ones. Love welcomes and cares for children, as if we were caring for Christ.
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Christ followers have a higher calling to a humble and gentle life as we make allowances for one another’s faults with patient love. A relational conflict need not deteriorate into a verbal attack, rather how can we welcome a conversation to clarify our communication and respect each other’s ideas? The more we are able to talk through what’s troubling our spirit, our fears can be flushed out and replaced with patient love. Humility avoids the lazy language of blame and replaces it with words of responsibility—“I’m sorry for being angry, forgive me.” “What can I do to help?”
Children are one of Christ’s greatest reminders of what He expects in our relationship with Him. Like a child, we approach our heavenly Father with honesty about our fears, humility about our sins, with a heart of loving trust. You are great because of God’s grace. And be encouraged, your sacrifice and service for your children is a sacrifice and service for your Savior Jesus. When you welcome their whines and care for their hearts, you welcome and care for Christ. Don’t wallow in your mess, but in humility let God lift you by His love for greatness in His Kingdom.
‘Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:1-3).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, grow my heart of humility and love toward you and with others, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Whom do I need to welcome and care for as if they were Christ?
Related Reading
Psalm 40:2, 131:2; Jeremiah 3:19; Philippians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:7
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Like a child, we approach our heavenly Father with honesty about our fears, humility with our sins, with a heart of loving trust. #WisdomHunters #messybutgreat
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