This morning we had Children's Sabbath at my church. Normally, we have an introductory section of the service, then the children leave to have their own service geared towards their needs and understanding. Today was different in that the children were the service. Not just the focus of the service, but the chief participants. They sang as the choir, led the prayers, and in the course of hearing the lesson delivered to them by the children's ministers, delivered a powerful one themselves.
The lesson to them was of the parable of the mustard seed, but that wasn't the message delivered to me. Watching them read their verses and lead the prayers, Mt 18:3 was the first thing to come to my mind: "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." After a few moments of contemplating that verse, and seeing their excitement, energy, and happiness, my mind went immediately to the verse from Nehemiah: "The joy of the Lord is your strength."
His joy, not mine.
Becoming my strength.
His indwelling Spirit, given in abundance.
Into my emptiness.
His Grace and Mercy, poured out in His anguish for us.
Cleaning and renewing me, giving me new eyes and a new heart to see the youth and innocence given to us.
His pure love, in the hugs of a little girl.
Letting me give Him an acceptable sacrifice, my contrite heart.
Very grateful right now for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to be moved.
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