“… and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:16-17
Last night my house was full of children again for house church. Mostly 6- and 7-year-olds, with a couple older boys. I sometimes wonder what the value of these meetings is, strategically. I mean, if we’re hoping to transfer ownership of this church to locals of the slum, then shouldn’t we mainly be seeking out the adults?
But I was reminded again last night, that God chooses the foolish things to shame the wise, that maybe I should be taking my cues from these little ones, the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
We always open our worship times with prayer, and this time our Thai leader Nim made a point of getting the kids to quiet down and focus on Jesus. “Sit like they teach you to at the Buddhist temples,” she said, which prompted them to sit cross-legged, hands open in the lap and eyes closed. They clearly have some practice in this. “Now listen to Jesus, listen to God.” And she read a psalm and led us in prayer.
Afterwards she asked them “children, did any of you see or hear anything?” “I saw a light” said three or four in unison. “I heard a voice calling my name,” said little 6-year-old Beng, who lives next door and visits me often.
“That’s Jesus, child, that’s Jesus calling you,” Nim said. “And that light is God’s light that you are seeing.”
During our closing prayer time we asked the kids for prayer requests. Often it is difficult to get them to say anything. But this time was different.
“What do you want to ask from God? How do you want him to bless you?” Nim asked.
“I want him to bring my mother back to live with my dad.” “I want him to heal my grandmother.” “I want him to help my father stop drinking.” “I want him to stop the violence down in the south.”
Could it be that these little ones will be the start of a movement here in the slum of Phothong? Could their beautiful faith and earnest prayers be the salt and light here? It would certainly be in the character of a God who has done far more foolish things in the eyes of the world. I know that for me Jesus was a little more real to me last night because of those children. Who’s to say that they aren’t the most “strategic” ones for us to love and invest in?
