Reliance

Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Mark 10:14) 

“Dad, can I have a glass of water?” “Mom, can you read me a story?”

Little kids love to ask for us to do things for them, don’t they? Especially when it’s time for bed! Yet as they mature, they begin to come to terms with the call to become more and more self-sufficient and independent. “I want to do it myself!” is a common toddler anthem—even when they clearly can’t.

As parents, we like to encourage our children and applaud them when we see them take on new challenges, but we also try to maintain some limits. And then there are the times when we see them struggling and wish they would have come to us for help instead—if only to ask for advice. These are the situations that can touch our hearts the most.

When it comes to us as adults, independence is often our default approach to life. While it has its strong points, it can also have its weaknesses. For instance, we might feel as if we need to shoulder all of our burdens on our own. Maybe we think that our problems are too small for Jesus—or that they’re too big, and we’re not worthy of a corresponding miracle. 

Today’s Gospel reading asks us to reflect on this independent instinct. Jesus is telling us that we should always feel free to ask him for help, just like little children. He is always ready to welcome us with open arms and give us wisdom and guidance, his healing and strength.

Today, take some time to ponder whether there are things that you may not have thought to take to Jesus. They may be little struggles in your life, medium-sized patterns of sin, or major challenges that are casting a cloud over your heart. Think about how eager Jesus is to help you, how approachable he is, and how simple it can be to lean on him. Don’t be too proud (or ashamed) to admit that you need his guidance and comfort. He already knows it anyway!

“Jesus, there is so much you want to offer me. Help me bring my big and little challenges to you. Teach me how to become as dependent as a little child.”

from wau.org

Not your strength

No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

When you’re applying for a job at a large company, it’s pretty certain that you will have to deal with the human resources department. It can seem like a pretty ruthless process. There are hundreds of résumés to go through, so unless yours really stands out, it will likely get tossed out immediately. If you’re lucky enough to make the cut, then you have to compete with the other top candidates. If you were to survive all that, you would definitely be feeling blessed!

When we hear Jesus saying, “No one comes to the Father except through me,” we may be tempted to think he is like that human resources manager (John 14:6). We picture him standing with his arms crossed, weeding out those who don’t have what it takes to get to heaven. But look at Philip, one of the saints whose feast we celebrate today. He didn’t get everything right away. He didn’t understand how Jesus was going to feed five thousand people with just a little bread and a couple of fish. And in today’s passage, he asks Jesus to show him the Father—after having spent three years hearing him talk about his Father!

It’s a good thing for Philip—and for us—that we don’t have to qualify for a position to follow the Lord. You’re family, not an employee! Instead of standing with his arms closed, Jesus has them opened wide. He is always happy to embrace us and bring us to his Father.

Do you worry sometimes that God might reject you or that he might pass you by because you’re not good enough? Then today’s passage is for you! Do you worry that you haven’t done enough to win his approval or to merit heaven? This passage is for you as well. Jesus is the way, not your hard work. It’s true that no one comes to the Father except through him. But it’s also true that he brings everyone to the Father who comes to him. He excludes no one. Not Philip. Not James. And certainly not you! 

from wau.org

Being yourself not by yourself

People there were observing him carefully. (Luke 14:1)

If you’re a parent of a small child, you know that one of the biggest things about them is their eyes. They’re always watching you. They seem to take everything in—often a lot more than you realize. They learn from what you do just as much from what you say, if not more so. Every minute you spend with them is an educational opportunity, with you being the teacher! 

Jesus had a teaching opportunity in today’s reading. He was in the house of a Pharisee, where he was being heavily scrutinized. He didn’t worry about his host’s expectations, however. He just did what he knew he should do: he healed a sick man. But then, realizing he had a “captive audience,” he decided to use that healing to bring home a lesson. The Sabbath, he said, was made for healing and salvation, not just for observing rules and traditions. 

As believers, we all have opportunities to witness to our faith. Like Jesus, we are on display. Of course, that is true anytime we interact with other people. But it’s especially true if they know we are Christians. Whether we realize it or not, they will pick up some kind of message from us. And whether they realize it or not, they will associate Christianity—and maybe even God—with what they see in us. So we really are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20)!

It can feel like a lot of responsibility, this call to be Christ to the world. But all we can really be is ourselves, just as Jesus was in the Pharisee’s home. And that’s a good thing! For no one else has your sense of humor. No one else has your way of relating to people. So if you stay close to Jesus and just try to be the best version of yourself, you’ll make an impact. God will use you to reach people in ways that no one else can. You just need to lean back into the Lord’s arms, and you’ll find yourself doing a lot more than you think. For Christ is in you, and he wants to touch everyone with his love.

“Lord, may what I do and say reflect the faith I profess. Strengthen me to be the salt and light that people are looking for.”

form wau.org

"Childlike" maturity

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4)

Have you ever seen a child jump fearlessly into a pool toward the outstretched arms of her father or mother? Blissfully trusting in her parent’s protection, she knows no fear! What a wonderful image this can be for us as children of God—joyful, faithfully delighting in the protection of One so much stronger than us. 

When Jesus called us to become like little children, he was inviting us to regain our childhood innocence. When we are young, we are all ready to believe in a good God who watches over us and sends angels to guide our way. But as we grow older, these comforting images can lose their power. Life can wear us down and make us cynical. We may begin to doubt God’s desire to remain close to us. We may begin to question the reality of his angelic guardians. Faced with the inevitable pressures of life, we may begin to believe—or resign ourselves to the belief—that we are alone in the universe, reluctant masters of our fate with no one to guide us.

Jesus wants to free us from any sense of isolation or self-sufficiency that is holding us back. He wants to awaken in us that original joy and innocence we experienced when we first knew of his personal abiding love. True maturity as a Christian is not a matter of increased independence from God but a deeper dependence on him! After all, it is he who constantly provides for our health, our relationships, our finances, our very life and breath!

Today, ask the Holy Spirit to do a special work in you. Ask him to help you view all the events of your day with the eyes of a child who knows the Father’s intimate love. If this is difficult, ask him for healing so that you can open your heart to him. Your heavenly Father wants you to come to him with every concern, no matter how small, and trust that his angels are watching over you. Let him reassure you with his love and support.

from wau.org