Childlike Anticipation

The video was adorable.
A three-year-old girl waiting for a train to arrive.
It was to be her first train ride and she couldn’t wait!

You couldn’t help but smile.
Her face…priceless…as she first heard it, and then saw the train coming down the tracks.
Every inch of her little body shaking with anticipation.

The train arrived…that wondrous thing she read about on her Mommy’s lap.
The train that she saw pictures of…drew pictures of…the train she waited for.
You can see the incredulous look upon her face as the train came down the tracks.
The train was so much bigger than she ever imagined!

She grabbed her Daddy’s hand that had been filming her reaction all along.
They climbed up the steps together.
What she had waited for…for so long…was finally here.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1-4)

I am so very glad Jesus said that!
You don’t have to wait until you have your act together, get a good job, lose ten pounds.
The kingdom of heaven is for children.
Jump up and down with excitement…arms flailing…refreshingly honest…children.

Children have no impressive portfolio to bring.
Children cannot lay their resume down on the table as proof of their accomplishments.
Children bring empty hands and full hearts to Jesus…in trust and dependence.
Children innately know they are needy…only Jesus can meet their need.

Oh…to be like a child!

The world dismisses children.
The world sees children as an inconvenience.
The world expects children to fit into the plans of the adult in charge.

I once read: The Bible calls children a blessing and debt a curse, but in our culture, we apply for curses and reject blessings.

Then the little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.
(Matthew 19:13-15)

Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem.
He is on a mission.
He is going to the cross.

As Jesus travels on His journey, He stops to bless the children.
Jesus also talks about little ones…the ones who will believe in Him.
Jesus will die for these little ones.

They are the ones He will save when He rises from the dead.
Jesus is the One they will believe in and put their trust in.
Jesus is the object of their faith.

The disciples see the children as an interruption.
Jesus sees the children as an opportunity.
He loves them…He prays over them…He blesses them.

How do we see children?

It was a child who gave his lunch away so that Jesus could feed the multitudes.
It was a young David that killed Goliath with a sling and a stone.
It was a Baby in the manger that was born to die…so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

I imagined myself as the little girl.
Anticipating something wonderful that I have read about…dreamed about.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven, with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Can you see it?
Childlike anticipation.
The One you have waited for…the One you have longed to see.
He is finally here…He came back…just as He promised.

Every inch of your body shakes with anticipation.
Arms flailing…eyes searching the sky.
There He is!
He is coming back for His children.

You take your Heavenly Father’s Hand and enter into your rest.