Thoughts

Let me start by saying that we had a great service at church this morning. Our youth pastor preached and at the end of the sermon, had all the 7-12 graders and college students gather around the alter. Then he called for their parents to come and lay hands on them, pray for and with them, that as parents we would not hinder what God is trying to do in their lives, but that we'd also pray for His will and encourage them when they feel called to do something. His sermon was about how over history God has used teens and young adults to spark revivals. Did you know that Jesus and only one other of the 12 were over 20!? I learned that this morning!

So many times, we want to "calm" the new Christians, and young people...they are told to sit still, be respectful, be reverent, be quiet. Then we tell them to worship. I've often said that I can't sing about standing on the promises of God, sitting on my backside. If I can't do it, why do I expect them to be able to do the same? I believe we have set too many boundaries on how we think worship is supposed to be. In setting boundaries on worship, we have set boundaries for them and their relationship with God...whether we realize it or not.

I decided to look up the scripture where Jesus blesses the children. Did you know that it can be found in Matthew, Mark and Luke? "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Mark 10:14-15

In Matthew 18:3-6, Jesus says "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. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his keck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

My point would be this: Even as adults, we are the children. We as parents are still learning and growing, but could learn alot from our children and youth about worship. We shouldn't be so stuck in the rules of the past that we can't remember what it was like to get excited about God and what He's done in our lives. That's where having the heart of a child comes into play, I think. A child is trusting, and willing to learn. Willing to try something new. Willing to admit failure. As adults we become hard to new ideas and tend to go back to "it's always worked before". As far as admitting failure, well, I'll speak for myself when I say that it is not easy and certainly not something I like to admit to my children. I want to have the heart that's always willing to learn and I never ever want to be a discouragement to another Christian or lead them to sin.

Just a little something I've been chewing on today, thought I'd share. :)