Keep a Child's Perspective

So, 2020 is here and while it is common to consider the past year as one looks forward to the new year, I want to consider things from a different perspective  . . . a child’s perspective. After all, children are vitally important to God . . . He did enter this world as one!

Stop and think about this! The God of the universe entered this world as a child; as a baby. Talk about one of the weakest entrances ever. But, Scripture does tell us, I Corinthians 1:26-30 – 

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”

God could have entered this world as a King, as an Emperor, as the Ruler of the World . . . after all, He is all those things. But, He chose to come as a baby. Amazing! So, how does knowing this change my perspective on the new year? Well, consider the following . . .

• ·  Jesus came as a baby, but He was born to a mother who loved him. We need to commit anew, to loving the children in our ministries. 
•    Clearly having the newest and best wasn’t important to God . . . Jesus was born in a stable. What was important was for Jesus to have a mother who loved Him. Make sure you love each and every child who crosses your path so they are able to see in your love, the love of God for them!
•    Since Jesus was a baby, He needed someone to protect Him – his parents did this. Along with loving the children in our churches and communities, we have to be committed to protecting them. Again, if you do not have a written safety policy, make this the first thing you do in the new year. Follow this with fully training all volunteers so everyone follows your policy and sticks to it like glue.
•    As an adult, Jesus made time for children. Make sure you don’t become so “bogged down” in the details of ministry, you become too busy for children. Make time for them. Know the names of the children in your ministry and greet them by name. Take time to ask children how things are going and to ask for prayer requests – carry a simple notepad with you and write the requests down and then be sure to get back to the kids the next week to see how things are going. If you do this, kids will know you really love them!

God chose the “weak” and “lowly” things . . . children are some of the weakest and most lowly among us, so if you are serving in children’s ministry, then you also have chosen the weak and lowly! You are in good company! As you move through 2020 allow your perspective to take and keep children in mind!