Luke 18:15-30

Be still: Jesus, may I take the time to pause and wait on you. Thank you that you are the good Father. Amen

Read: Luke 18:15-30

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (v16)

Encounter: At Bible college I was given the role of prayer secretary which meant I led the weekly prayer meetings for staff and students. I had this overwhelming sense of panic that I would say something stupid or incorrect in front of my lecturers. Who was I to lead these theological, intelligent adults in prayer? But one day I felt a nudge from God to lead the prayers in a way that was playful and childlike, so I got them to do an activity using sticky notes and crayons! And you know what? Everyone loved it!

Whilst we mature spiritually (hopefully!), we deeply crave the joy and wonder of being childlike again — that awe when we started following Jesus and our wholehearted dependency on abba father. The kingdom belongs to those of childlike faith. 

I now work as a youth pastor and confidently declare there is no junior Holy Spirit. Our kids and young people are called to encounter God and carry kingdom-life at every age. Young people lead the way sharing the gospel in their schools, homes, football teams and friendship groups — living boldly and radically for the kingdom. There’s a lack of cynicism or timidity in them that adults or long-standing Christians can sometimes display.

What if we took up the mandate to not only create more opportunities for kids and young people to come to Jesus, but to copy them in childlike faith, trusting that God is our provider, comforter and closest friend. Living with wide and bright eyes in wonder at who he is.     

Apply: Think of a child or young person in your life — a family member, a student, or one attending youth/ kids groups. How can you invest in them? 

Equally how can you live out a childlike faith fully depending on God as Father? Are there any lies or cynicism about who the Father is you need to bring to him in prayer? 

Devote: Father, give us childlike awe and wonder of who you are. May we approach you as our good Father abounding in love and providing our every need.