The conversation was serious all though I’m not sure what it was concerning. I was across the room out of ear shot, but by the looks on the faces of the participants it seemed like whatever they were discussing could have life changing implications. There were heads nodding, animated speeches with hands and arms illustrating points. Sometimes two or three of them would compete to have the floor each trying to raise their voice above the others until a victor was decided who would hold court until his or her speech was finished. It was a little frustrating being on the outside, watching this conference that I wasn’t privy too. After all, I’m the preacher in this church and to see a group so privately yet so intently having a conversation…well, I guess there’s just some things people don’t want the preacher to be in on.
Suddenly, as if they could sense my eyes watching them, they all leaned in close as if to make sure there was no way that I could hear or possibly read their lips. This was getting serious. Like a football team in a huddle, they talked. And then suddenly the conference was over. They broke the huddle and one of them took off running, full speed down the side aisle at the end of the pews. Two others ran at full speed down the center aisle while one was left behind looking confused as to which way to go. He finally opted to climb up on the stage next to the pulpit and start jumping up and down.
The two that had run down the center aisle brushed past my leg. I had just enough time to reach down and pat the second one that ran by on the top of the head as his little legs propelled him past. The one that had ran down the side aisle stopped about halfway down, turned and headed back to the front where she watched her little friend on the stage. After conferring for a moment in toddler language he came down off the stage and they ran in circles next to it while a couple of other under three feet tall humans came over to join them. Eventually the two that had run down the center aisle ran back to the front as well and joined the others for a new conference, more running, jumping and playing.
A lot of littles were at service yesterday morning. I can’t speak for other preachers but as for me, anytime I’m preaching, and I find myself competing to be heard over the sound of kids and babies in the audience it’s a good day for me. I love talking loudly to be heard over the sound of a crying baby. It beats talking loudly to try to wake up an adult congregant any day. Where you find babies crying, little feet racing up and down the aisles and jumping on the stage, there you find a church that’s alive. It was a good day at the church yesterday.
I think sometimes we forget the absolute importance of kids. Jesus understood completely how important they are. So important as a matter of a fact that He made the bold statement that we should be more like them! When Jesus was asked who the most important in heaven were, He replied:
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “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. “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
(Matthew 18:1-6)
Strong words from Jesus there. You want to get into Heaven? Become like a child. You want to welcome Jesus, welcome a child. You want to get yourself into a lot of trouble? Cause trouble for a child. Jesus doesn’t mince words here. Now, becoming like a child doesn’t mean running up and down the church aisles or jumping up and down on the stage, those are ok when you’re three but a little weird when you’re and adult. But it does mean having the faith, trust, humility, innocence and love that a child has.
There was another time when people were bringing children to Jesus and His disciples told them to stop. They thought He was too busy to mess with those kids and the parents needed to just get them out of the way. But Jesus rebuked them for it:
“People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “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.”
(Luke 18:15-17)
Again, see what He’s saying there? The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. The closest you’ll come to Heaven is being in the presence of a child. I know, there are some stressed out moms covered in formula trying to change a diaper on one child while another is writing on the wall with a marker right now thinking I’m crazy but it’s true. Remember how precious they are to Jesus. He knew those kids before we did, remember what the book of Psalms says:
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
(Psalm 139:14)
And what God told the prophet Jeremiah:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”
(Jeremiah 1:5)
Remember how much He loves those babies, bring them to church, let them cry, run, and jump. Even if they won’t let me in on their private conversations, I cherish preaching over them and Jesus cherishes everything about them.
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD…
(Psalm 127:3)