Becoming Like A Child

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." - Mark 10: 14-15

In this passage, Jesus has just answered to tough question asked by some Pharisees, who were attempting to catch him in a contradiction (they couldn't).  After this, men starting bringing the children to Jesus for a blessing but his disciples are trying to stop the children from getting to Jesus.  Jesus' response is the above passage.  It is made perfectly clear that God loves children and He does not want anything or anyone to stop a child from coming to Him.  Jesus says something very interesting in verse 15 though.  He says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  What is Jesus saying here?  He is saying that in order for anyone to enter the kingdom of heaven, they have to become like a child.  This doesn't mean become immature and throw tantrums.  Rather, God wants us to become like children in the fact that he wants us to stop being so prideful and become as innocent as child.  When a child is young, they rely very heavily on their parents.  God want's us to become as dependent on Him as a child is to his/her parents.  When we fall, God wants to pick us up.  When we don't have the strength to carry on, God wants us to lean on Him.  When we cry, God wants to wipe our tears.

Part of being a Christian is learning to forget the wants and desires of your own life and submit to the plan that God has for your life.  It's not easy and everyone struggles.  But God would rather you have the right intent and stumble than to not even try.

God loves you for who you are.  It doesn't matter what you have done, no mistake is too big for God to forgive.  When Jesus was hanging on the cross, one of the criminals who was crucified alongside him said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."  At almost the very last moment of his life, the criminal realized who Jesus was and accepted him as the Savior of the world.  If Jesus can forgive a man who was crucified right next to him, he can forgive you.  All you have to do is ask.