Let’s Play:

The Lord loves little children.  The Lord makes this very clear throughout the Bible.  The times the Lord talks about children, it is a positive interaction or a positive sentiment.  One important piece is in Matthew 19:13-14, “Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  The Lord doesn’t just make the children leave.  He doesn’t have a desire to only be surrounded by adults.  He loves the children and wants to be with them.  He even has a desire and a place for them in heaven for eternity.  

He also uses children to teach the disciples a lesson.  Earlier in the chapter in Matthew  18:2-5, Jesus tells the disciples, “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.”  The Lord reminds the disciples that while it can be easy to desire to be important in communities and high officials, it is always important to stay humble and to love everyone, even those who are smaller than you both in size, money, job title, etc.  The children being used here as an example was a great representation to teach this lesson.  Children can often be ignored in the world.  There are times when it is really hard to love them or respect them.  I know that I have moments when I really struggle to always see my students as equals to me in human dignity and respect.  (I know they can’t be my full equal in my role as a teacher, but it is important that I see them as equal in human life and love them as such).  

Therefore, it is important to think about reaching out to kids and to think of kids as important people to talk to in regards to being reached for the Kingdom of God.  Do you really want to reach kids?  Do you really want to make connections, make them laugh, and have an impact on their life?  There is one thing that I have found is the absolute best and that is through play.  You have to be willing to play, and really play.  Don’t leave your heart behind! I have found that many times kids will not care about what you have to say unless you have been willing to get to know them really well and play with them.  They will then have that relationship with you where they feel as though they can open up and share more information in conversation, and therefore you will spread the love of Christ a lot easier.    

I have definitely learned and experienced this amongst being a teacher.  There have been a few times when I have gotten the chance to shoot hoops or play a little basketball with 7th and 8th grade boys.  They may not say it directly, but I know that this means a lot to them.  They love to pick on me and will talk to me every single day in study hall.  Even though not everything is perfect, I do believe that they know I care about them because I take that time to really get to know them and give them time to play.   Hopefully then the conversations that come after will be incredibly fruitful and filled with love and wisdom.  Those conversations with kids and teens are incredibly important.  There are times when we want to think that kids are not very smart, but they can really add some great ideas and have some great thoughts and perspectives.  Don’t be afraid to learn a lesson or two from the kids or the teens that are in your lives.  

In general, it is important to remember the children in all situations.  The Lord loves children, and he wants his followers to also love children.  It can be easy to look for the adults in the room.  I know that as I was getting in my upper teens and lower twenties that I would do whatever I could to not have to engage with the children at Christmas parties, but instead talk to the adults.  While, yes it is very important to spend time with other adults and people your own age, especially when wanting to grow in fellowship with one another, there are many times that we shouldn’t forget about the young children in the room.  They will be the next generation, and they will remember the people who loved and cared for them, and that will impact their future.  This was why Jesus spent so much time loving them and caring for them while he was here on earth.  My challenge for you is to be thinking of one to two children this week that you can have an impact on and how?  What is the way that you can treat them in a very positive manner and impact their future in a positive way?  Then do that thing that you believe you are capable of in that child’s life this very week, and I hope that it will include some good quality play time.