A few years ago, on several occasions, when I looked out from the window in my study, I would see, across the street, my tall neighbor standing in the middle of his front yard. His little girl, about two years old, was running around in the yard, staying fairly close to him. Every few minutes, she would go to her father and lift up her arms. Apparently, without any conversation, he would bend down and lift her up, and take her into his arms so that she could put her arms around his neck. After about a minute, he would put her back down again, and she would go back to delighting herself by running around for another few minutes, until it was time to come back to him.
This game that they had developed illustrates a great truth: the Father in heaven loves us; and it is our Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. But there is more. Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.
Watch the video (5:29) or listen to the podcast episode.
What does it mean to receive this gift of love as a little child? How shall we return this love?
One way to begin is to contemplate how great a gift it is. It is the gift of salvation, the divine transformation that begins in this life and continues in heaven. When we enter the kingdom, we are born of the spirit, born again. This means that we start over—like a little child, but as a new member of the spiritual family of God. We are even supported in choosing a name for God that fits our experience of the loving spirit of God within us.
To receive this divine gift requires receptivity, which involves humble, trusting faith, open and teachable, and willing to being led in the ways of doing the will of God. This faith that we need is also a gift from our loving Parent.
This gift of faith is meant to be used, and it comes with unsuspected power. Faith, living faith, has both a receptive and an active side. In the mystery of God’s spirit working in us, the growth of each side enhances the other side. Over time, as we use the gift of faith, we experience growth in our ability to be receptive, for example, in listening to discern the will of God. This growth helps our active side to grow stronger and learn to do more things. Likewise, stronger and more versatile faith enhances our ability to listen receptively and discerningly. And the growth that happens along the way is also a gift from God.
Finally, to illustrate the faith of a little child, I have a statue in two pieces. The first piece is a statue of a full-grown adult—with a hole in the top of his head. The second piece is a funnel that fits into that hole. Taking these two parts together, this statue symbolizes for me the child-like faith that even a spiritual adult still needs.
Beautifully written Jeff. Thank you for this profound teaching my friend.
Julian