In the Gospel of Mark, we are called to receive the kingdom of God like that unto a child, in order to enter into heaven. What exactly did Jesus mean when He said this? I propose we all return to our childhood to seek the answers. Just imagine that place in your memory where things seemed blissful and easy and light. What would your younger version of yourself say to you now? Who would they see? This is what we are hoping to rediscover as adults: We are all children of God.
How often do we complicate things that are simple?
We all seek simplicity in our lives, especially within our daily tasks. However, that is an external view of simplification. The simplicity I am referring to is the one that happens inside, an echo that should resound within our hearts and fill our inner being with peace and contentment.
First, we must recognize what we have received.
Jesus mentions we are to receive the kingdom of God. Do we ever stop to ponder what this means? When you receive a gift no matter how small, does your soul exalt in thanksgiving? Does your face radiate the joy of receiving?
Now, imagine a child who receives their first chocolate ice cream. He is ecstatic before he even grasps the cone. He wonders at the taste and touch of the dessert; he seeks before he has found the joy in tasting the ice cream. Is this possible for us adults who have tasted hundreds of different ice creams? Yes! A return to a childlike heart, full of gratitude, is a start. A child doesn’t hesitate to express his joy and thankfulness for the little things he has received and in like manner, we ought to imitate the child in this regard. What are some other things we have received, but lost the childlike response?
Secondly, to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must be like that of a child.
Children are incapable of complicating things. When they enter into anything, does the child seem preoccupied, worrisome, or disturbed? Not in the least, their innocence allows them to fully engage in the task at hand. Are we capable of entering the day that has been freely given to us and be fully present, fully engaged, and keep it simple? Absolutely!
Remember, return to your childhood because the simple answers lie there.
We can all take a lesson from Dr. Seuss’s book, Horton Hatches the Egg. The memorable line that is often overlooked is, “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant…An elephant’s faithful one hundred percent!” Simply put, let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Everything else is an excuse.
Lastly, I leave you with this. Are there parts of yourself that you need to leave with God to help you overcome? Do you need His compassion? Need to receive His love?
Matthew 7:7-8 states,
“Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock.”
The adventure is to seek like that of a child. Oh, how quickly we want to skip over this part. However, there are childlike parts of us that need to be rediscovered, need to be loved. Start with an examination of the interior life and let it flow outward!
To connect with Jeremy Cristi, visit his directory profile at
https://www.catholiclifecoaches.com/jeremy-cristi
- A Child of God - September 21, 2023
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