Together

I’ve heard it said that children are our future.  I would say that they are not only our future.  They are our today.  They are our now.  Not only that, they are the part of us that is innocent, pure, and loving enough to be in the Kingdom of God.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16 NIV)

You may be thinking this week, “Whew!  I dodged that bullet.  I don’t have any children or grandchildren, so I don’t have to worry about any of this.”  Jesus had something different to say on the subject.

If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! (Matthew 18:6-7 NIV)

We are the people who build environments for our children.  Do we build dangerous environments that separate children from God?  Or do we build safe environments for children to draw near to, and then walk together with, God?  This environment-creating is not just the responsibility of the parents.  It is our responsibility as well.  We are called by God to create environments where even little children can walk together with God.

He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:36-37 NIV)

How about you?  Do you create safe environments for children to walk together with God?  Do you try to do this on your own, or are we working together?