“He who can reach a child’s heart can reach the world’s heart.” ~ Rudyard Kipling
This statement from Rudyard Kipling is not only true but it’s scary as well. Frightening because the secular world has figured out this formula for themselves. They know if they can get to the younger generation then they have a better shot at the world. You can see it in the television programs made, the type of teachings in the schools, and everywhere else you turn.
We as Christians need to step up to bat and go after that child’s heart that is so vulnerable and get it anchored in Jesus. We have the same orders the disciples did when Jesus told them to, “let the little children come to Me.” Once we bring the children to Jesus then the reward is reaching the world’s heart one child at a time.
In reading in the Bible about the incident where Jesus talked to the disciples about the children you almost wonder, ‘what in the world were the disciples thinking!’ “No, don’t bother Jesus with those little runny nose squirming tikes. He’s got more important things to do than to play with the local children.”
Wrong! Here is what Jesus had to say, “Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.” Mt 19:13-15 (NKJV)
Wow, what an honor to have Jesus look upon our children in such a way. The part we play is to look upon them in the same way. We need to gaze upon them as something of great importance, a priority, tender loving, a mold to form, and a lost soul needing to be found. Unfortunately we don’t always look at them that way, we see them as something we have the right to kill before they get to breath their first breath, to throw around and take our anger out on, to have and instantly turn lose with no instructions on how to deal with life all in the name of “freedom.”
Sorry…….I got distracted………all this talk about kids had me in tears and I went over to my karenskidskorner.blogspot.com site to add something there that is connected to all this we are talking about today.
Our kids, whether they are our own or ones belonging to those around us are something we have been entrusted with. Assigned to care for them and teach them as we reach their hearts before the world has a chance to influence them. We don’t have time to wait. We can’t do it later. We mustn’t wait until they grow up and choose for themselves because all it takes is one bad influence to set a child in the wrong direction. As unfair as that sounds it’s the truth.
Years ago when I was the Daily Vacation Bible School director for our church it gave me great joy to stand gazing upon that room full of kids anxious to learn about Jesus. There before me was a group of children temporarily assigned to me and my staff to carry out Jesus’ command of “Let the little ones come to Me.” We had our duty, the seeds to be sown, and the crop that needed to be planted long before we could even hope for a harvest.
We can’t let them down when they have such a long ways to be lifted up to towards the arms of Jesus, the love of His heart, the warmth of His comfort. Let’s go for it, one child at a time. Like the school program that was once started let us make sure that, NO CHILD IS LEFT BEHIND! Let the children come!
Amen? AMEN!!!!!
This statement from Rudyard Kipling is not only true but it’s scary as well. Frightening because the secular world has figured out this formula for themselves. They know if they can get to the younger generation then they have a better shot at the world. You can see it in the television programs made, the type of teachings in the schools, and everywhere else you turn.
We as Christians need to step up to bat and go after that child’s heart that is so vulnerable and get it anchored in Jesus. We have the same orders the disciples did when Jesus told them to, “let the little children come to Me.” Once we bring the children to Jesus then the reward is reaching the world’s heart one child at a time.
In reading in the Bible about the incident where Jesus talked to the disciples about the children you almost wonder, ‘what in the world were the disciples thinking!’ “No, don’t bother Jesus with those little runny nose squirming tikes. He’s got more important things to do than to play with the local children.”
Wrong! Here is what Jesus had to say, “Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.” Mt 19:13-15 (NKJV)
Wow, what an honor to have Jesus look upon our children in such a way. The part we play is to look upon them in the same way. We need to gaze upon them as something of great importance, a priority, tender loving, a mold to form, and a lost soul needing to be found. Unfortunately we don’t always look at them that way, we see them as something we have the right to kill before they get to breath their first breath, to throw around and take our anger out on, to have and instantly turn lose with no instructions on how to deal with life all in the name of “freedom.”
Sorry…….I got distracted………all this talk about kids had me in tears and I went over to my karenskidskorner.blogspot.com site to add something there that is connected to all this we are talking about today.
Our kids, whether they are our own or ones belonging to those around us are something we have been entrusted with. Assigned to care for them and teach them as we reach their hearts before the world has a chance to influence them. We don’t have time to wait. We can’t do it later. We mustn’t wait until they grow up and choose for themselves because all it takes is one bad influence to set a child in the wrong direction. As unfair as that sounds it’s the truth.
Years ago when I was the Daily Vacation Bible School director for our church it gave me great joy to stand gazing upon that room full of kids anxious to learn about Jesus. There before me was a group of children temporarily assigned to me and my staff to carry out Jesus’ command of “Let the little ones come to Me.” We had our duty, the seeds to be sown, and the crop that needed to be planted long before we could even hope for a harvest.
We can’t let them down when they have such a long ways to be lifted up to towards the arms of Jesus, the love of His heart, the warmth of His comfort. Let’s go for it, one child at a time. Like the school program that was once started let us make sure that, NO CHILD IS LEFT BEHIND! Let the children come!
Amen? AMEN!!!!!
© 2010 Karen J Gillett @ Pencil Marks and Recipes Publishing
3 comments:
Well said Karen! We need to be intentional in drawing kids to Jesus.
Karen, my struggle has always been do I fill a spot of need or ignore it because my gifts don't lie there? I choose to follow the urging of my guilt most of the time. I can't stand the idea that when my own need an adult to reach out to them, there might be no one to respond. So, I stand in the gap until the person God calls steps up because I hope someone does that when my children and grandchildren need it.
Thanks for your words today.
I too am concerned about the young people and all they are exposed to in this culture. But I'm also finding many who are hungry for God. This encourages me. Many grandparents can be instrumental in teaching the children too.
Great points as always Karen.
Blessings,
Debbie
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