Humble part 4
There's a big difference between being childish and being childlike. I've Ranted and preached on it before. But I want to touch on it here before I quote my Scripture for today. Being childish is demanding to have things your own way. And throwing a fit when you don't get things your own way. Being childlike is depending completely on your parents (or in this case your heavenly Father). So one of these is counter-productive and the other one is exactly what God wants from us. Look at Matthew 18:3-4, "And he 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." You can't "adult" your way into the Kingdom. And by that I mean, you can't do it with your own wisdom, understanding, and effort. You have to simply accept--receive and release--who God is and what He has done for you. Like a child. Children don't have to earn their food, or their clothes, or their living space. Their parents provide everything for them. We need to get to a point where we depend on our heavenly Father for everything. And, listen, as an adult with responsibilites and bills, I have a job. Paul said, basically, "If you don't work you don't eat." Because when you grow out of childhood you put away childish things. Maturity. Taking care of business. But that's different than being Spiritually dependent--or humble. Knowing tha I can't do it myself and knowing that I need a Savior. I have been saved, but even in a moment I need to BE saved. Thinking I know it all, or can do it all, is pride. And as Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." When we try to walk by ourselves we stumble and fall. Its not good for man to be alone. We need each other. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of wisdom. Humbling ourselves as a child--being childlike--is the greatest thing we can do. Kingdom of God-wise. The best thing we can do is stop trying so hard and rest. Sit on Father God's lap and let things flow. We can't live Jesus' life. Nobody can live Jesus' life except Jesus. So the key is to let Him live His own life in us, and through us, and as us. The key is to stop trying and start resting. To, again, receive and release. To let what's already inside us flow out of us by knowing and believing that its in there. By doing our part, and not worrying about all the other stuff. A child doesn't try to do too much. A child just does what he's told. So let the Holy Spirit lead you and guide you. Do what's in your heart to do. And do THAT to the best of your ability. But don't be loud about it. Don't brag about it. Don't say, "Look at me!" Just go about your business and know that God exalts the humble. The more you try to get something, the harder it will be to get. But when your focus is giving what you've got... when you seek first the Kingdom... all the rest will be added unto you. Not because you're trying to get something, but because it is more blessed to give than to receive. Not because you're trying to get something, but because you already HAVE something. Something to give. Something everybody needs. Love!