Through the eyes of a child
Jesus always knows best and he knew what he was talking about when he said that we should have faith like a child (Matthew 18:1-5). In a way, seeing through their eyes is a piece of heaven on Earth. On Sunday God provided several opportunities to interact with some of my favorite kind of people- the little ones. By the end of the night I can honestly say my faith was enlarged by being with them.
This past weekend I brought several of my youth up from Richmond to do Mission work in and around DC. On Sunday morning they came to Saint James Alexandria to help with the Peanut Butter and Jam Ministry. When we showed up the kids who were already there got really excited to see my youth. I heard one of them say to another who was arriving, “There are literally millions of teenagers in there, come see.” This boy was so excited about a group of other kids and it reminded me how much showing up matters. Just being there was a ministry. Making all those sandwiches was great, but seeing that look of wonder was priceless.
Then there was the service–this was my youth groups first time coming up here. It is a very different service from what they are used to and I thought it might be difficult for them to worship knowing that God called me to this place and that means leaving them soon. In any case, throughout worship, the sermon, and communion I kept looking at their faces and they were glowing. They each came alive, smiled, laughed, and sang in beautiful ways. They didn’t just bring part of themselves to the mission trip or worship, but they brought all of themselves.
Later at the Kingstowne service I had the opportunity to hold our youngest new member. I felt so blessed to hold a piece of God’s creation, every time you hold a baby it is powerful. God literally breathed life into that child and they have a world of discovery ahead of them. We forget that the same applies to all of us adults too, but it is so plain to see that in and the eyes of a child.
This past week’s message was on taking up the cross. This has been an incredible roller-coaster kind of year for me, but all I have to say is that if taking up the cross means continuing to put these little ones on my priority list, I am there. I don’t ever want to become so jaded and caught up in things that I miss that sense of wonder or forge to take time for them. I love working with adults, but there is something special about what is new to children and how God speaks to them in ways we miss sometimes and likewise, how we can reveal things to them that they might not be aware of yet.
You can pull any number of sayings out of the Bible like, “take up the cross,” “turn the other cheek,” “eye for an eye,” or “faith like a child.” This week I learned more about the first through the last. I wonder what God is teaching you about taking up His cross this week. I pray that He is moving your heart as you process the message and live your life as you feel called.
