NEW Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is provided by Charmer Pratt. Charmer, a longtime member of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia, has served faithfully in the welcoming ministry since 2016.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Like a Child” 

Matthew 18:3 

And [Jesus] said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” 

I tricked my niece into thinking I have a superpower. 

Last summer at the Zoo Atlanta, my then six-year-old niece challenged me to a series of footraces, thinking that she can outrun anyone. For a few minutes, I decided to be a good uncle and obliged, running alongside her to the finish lines she created in the park area between the parking lot and the park entrance for several races. After a few runs, I told her that I was going to use my “super speed” on the next race and sprinted as fast as I could. When she saw how fast I could really run, she ran after me and yelled, “Don’t use super speed anymore!” 

As time passes, my niece will grow to be faster, and I will grow to be slower. Eventually, she will grow up and realize that her uncle not only never had super speed, but he was just a normal runner. With that realization, my niece will look at me as just another person and less like the superhuman she thought of me as a child. 

As we grow in our relationship with the Lord, we can easily fall into that trap. We can learn more about God and think that because of our new knowledge of Him, we’re closer to being on His level. This is why Jesus calls us to become like the little children, so that we can realize one great truth about the Lord. 

The exact opposite of the trap is true! The more you and I learn about the Lord, the more we realize how much greater He is than we are. Our knowledge of God should make us more childlike, bringing us more in awe of Him and more amazed at the fact that He would bother loving us.  

So I encourage you to learn as much as you can about the Lord and spend as much time with Him as you can. You’ll continue to be awestruck by our awesome God! 

Prayer: Lord, You are more amazing than I can ever imagine. As I learn more about You and walk with You, keep me in a childlike state that remains in awe of Your presence every step of the way! Amen 

Bible Reading for Today: Haggai 2