That note melted my heart (and those of all who read it here at ICR); in so doing, it reminded me of the following "note" our Lord has written to us:
"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:1-4, emphasis added).
Having been significantly impacted by the purity and simplicity of the child's note, I was devastated by what God drew to my attention through Matthew 18:1-4. Consider with me, if you will, how, on the one hand:
- Scripture presumes Christians are to become as little children;
- Since all true Christians go to heaven, being something other than "little children" before God is evidence that one may not be a genuine Christian;
- The presence of true humility and childlike faith in God's Word in one's life demonstrates the expected childlike quality and confirms that one is a bonafide Christian.
On the other hand, as I look at all too much of my life, and as I observe the church today, it seems vividly clear that most of us are striving for anything but becoming childlike. In fact, we are dressing and housing and driving ourselves, building our church buildings and even structuring our "worship" in ways that reflect our love for the trappings of this world rather than the simplicity of God's Word and the majesty of His Person.
There is not a doubt in my mind that all of us are looking to the day when we will stand before the Lord, desiring that our time here on earth will have been well invested and worthy of His praise. The instruction He gives us in Matthew 18:1-4 is one key to our being able to receive that praise!
Thank you, Father, for the child who sent the note along with her gift. I pray you will use its simplicity to draw each of us deeper into your Holy Word that we might be convicted of our sin and conformed into the image of our Lord. In His precious Name! Amen.
