See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. Matthew18:10
Over the last few weeks I have been traumatised and enraged at the violence, neglect and brutality that society has shown to children.
Jesus said three important things about children.
1. We can learn from their exuberant and yet simple trust. Think of a child confidently leaping into a father's arms or patiently waiting for mom to make supper. Children don't overcomplicate or try to be in control - they just believe.
2. Jesus spoke about tough judgement (of the try-swimming-with-a-millstone-around-your-neck type) on those who mislead children. This misleading can be by teaching or example. Anyone who abuses a child also abuses the child's perception of God. And they _will_ answer to God!
3. Jesus reminds us that our children have a special team of angels. The writer of Hebrews tells us that angels "are ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherit salvation." Children's angels are portrayed as being especially close to the Father. I believe this is why we see children being so incredibly brave and beautiful in the face of cancer and disaster and tragedy. They are not always spared from the troubles of a broken world, but they are definitely not alone!
For today, let's strive to learn about faith and trust from the children around us. Let's celebrate their spontaneity, love and simple trust. Let's do what we can to protect them from that which would mislead them - let's give them more of ourselves and less of our entertainment-oriented and materialism-driven world. And let's be comforted that when our children struggle, God sends His best angels to be with them!
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
