Rebecca Fisher
LDM for Evangelism and New Ministry Development
"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" Matthew 19:14
On Sunday October 19, 2014, I attended Thrive which is a new church located in West Des Moines led by Jeremy Poland and Jennifer Hibben. Jeremy preached a message entitled, “Live Like Jesus.” He shared the importance of growing beyond Believing In Jesus to Living Like Jesus. He recognized in himself the propensity towards selfishness through a story of discovery in caring for his infant son. He described his desire to continue with his agenda for the day which was interrupted because he had to attend to the needs of his very own child. In that moment, he realized how much important it is to move from a self- focus to a servant-focus which is how Jesus lived his life. That’s what Jesus was trying to share with his disciples—it isn’t about what we see as expedient nor preferable nor controllable. It’s about allowing those interruptions to be opportunities to serve and bless the children and people who come. The most amazing thing happened after the service as we all were eating breakfast tacos, a drinking coffee, and chatting—a toddler yelped with joy and cut out running down the hallway! I thought to myself, “wow, what a joy to witness a church where the children are filled with joy and running like that.” What church wouldn’t want that? In this church, the children are not just learning to believe, they are learning to thrive with joyful abandon. They are free.
LET is a powerful word. It means to allow, to give permission, or to stop holding something. While studying this, I thought about the great need for young leaders both clergy and laity in the church of today. I wondered, “Who are the children?” Kids & Youth? Could they be Young adults? Middle Agers? The Young at Heart? New Members? New Leaders? Are we letting them come? Or holding them back? What do you think? Is there room for everyone?
Jesus also said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Mathew 18:3 NIV)
LET THE CHILDREN COME
Jesus looked so weary from the worries of the day
But the look on His face lighted when the children came His way Before He could reach out to them and join them in their play His grown-up adult followers told the kids to go away
Let the children come, don't dare drive them away
And then the kingdom comes hear the holy, foolish things they say The springtime of their life decides the adults they'll become
So let the children come, Please let the children come
The golden gift of childhood last a lifetime if you try
The simple trusting faith they hold keeps scholars mystified And so the Lord adopts us as His daughters and His sons The Kingdom is for children so Please let the children come
Let the children come don't dare drive them away
And then the kingdom comes, hear the holy, foolish things they say The springtime of their life decides, the adults they'll become
So let the children come, Please let the children come
Recorded by: Michael Card
Join me in this meditation:
LET Them Come! One & all, old & young, big & small, rich & poor, strong & weary! LET Them Come!