Such is the Kingdom of Heaven

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

As a new mom entering the season of toddlerhood, I often find myself getting overwhelmed, touched out, or just exhausted. After the millionth time of picking up the toys scattered on the floor, cleaning up the kitchen after what seems like the 24th time that day, and the constant awareness of this little human’s emotions, I don’t want to come to the feet of Jesus. I just want time to myself and not another thing on my to-do list.

One day, I was sitting on my couch after a very long, exhausting day, and I took what seemed like my first breath. I looked over at my one-year-old little girl and noticed her in simple awe of her "Jesus book" as she listened to Sunday School songs with complete joy. Her arms were raised in the air like she was trying to reach for the heavens with her tiny hands. I could not help but pray, "Jesus, where did MY simple awe and joy go?"

We find Jesus speaking this simple yet complex phrase after the disciples try to stop the children from “bothering Him.” They rebuke the people in the crowd. All they wanted was to be near the Savior. Jesus responds to His tiny followers with welcoming arms, desiring to be with them and to meet their innocence with love. He reminds those in the crowd that “the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

As Christians, when we get older and our eyes grow more aware of the world, we become more jaded in our faith. Our zeal and passion dwindle as we see more sickness, hate, death, and corruption. We dwell on what is going on around us rather than coming to the throne of Jesus. The devices in our hands that feed us constant information feel more familiar than the presence of Jesus. What has happened to our pure joy? Where did our childlike faith go?

Well, friend, do I have good news for you! When we proclaim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are His children! We become the children we see in Matthew. We are able to have that pure and childlike faith because of the new creation we are in Him. He desires to heal us from our past, present, and future.

Child of God, you are more than able to come to the feet of Jesus and be healed. I know the brokenness of the world feels heavy on you right now, but Christ desires to take the weight and bear it for you.

Come to Him like a child and be healed.