What are your thoughts about what Matthew wrote about Jesus’ interaction with some children? It is found in Matthew chapter 18.

“Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

For me, these words have always represented the start of someone’s faith journey. You may have many questions about faith and not quite sure what to do, yet the only way to begin is to have child-like faith, just trust and move forward from there.

And perhaps this is a good way to see these verses, and maybe this was your experience.  

But lately, I’ve been reflecting on these verses in the reverse order.

Maybe child-like faith isn’t where you begin but it is the desired end result. That you begin with coming to belief in God with a lot of questions, you then work at your faith journey through building up a repertoire of spiritual disciplines which help you along in better understanding who God is and develop that relationship. Perhaps you can relate to the Apostle Paul as he encourages us to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling”. This doesn’t seem very child-like to me, but a lot of “adult” work. And there is something about continuing to lean in, just as you do with any relationship, be that your marriage, parenting or friendships.

Yet there is a sense in trusting God for everything as our Father, that we give up on the striving, and simply fall into his arms as a two year old jumps into the arms of their parents. There is no concern for them, no striving, no questioning, just a full sense of security in who their parents are. Child-like.

Jesus walked straight to the cross as the Father had asked of him. Full trust in the outcome. No questioning. It was hard from a human perspective, yet child-like.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, child-like. “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

To live as citizens of the Kingdom of God, here and now while on earth, we must be fully beholden to the King of the Kingdom. There must be no questioning, no second guessing, no need for full explanations. Yet we can only live this way, if we are truly trusting in the King and the depth of his love for us. As a child fully accepts with confidence that their parents won’t let them down, that they’ve got this.

It’s child-like. It brings peace.

As followers of Jesus, we can live in the confidence that our Father has got this. We are his children. We can live child-like.

For the kingdom.

I have often made the statement: “It’s all about discipleship.” No matter what you look at or think about, I like to make a connection to discipleship.

Lately I’ve been reflecting on birds and how they fly. Perhaps you’ve noticed this as well. Even though I live in a city, we are right near a river and a stormwater pond, so many types of birds are present. And to me, they represent the many seasons of discipleship.

There are the birds of prey – hawks and eagles – soaring high in the sky. It all seems so effortless. They catch the thermal updrafts and appear to float in the air, rarely needing to move their wings. Their eyes watching the ground below, perhaps a mouse can be spotted and a meal enjoyed. Yet they appear at peace. 

We do enjoy seasons of this at times in our discipleship. Things seem to align, we experience a season of peace, God is close, relationships are good, the scriptures speak clearly. It is good.

At the other end are ducks. How exhausting to watch them fly. Have you noticed this? There is no space to glide and enjoy the flight, it is all work. Even to take off from the pond seems to take a long time – a lot of energy for so little gain. Yet somehow they make it to the next spot. And then to watch them land, gliding along the water. It’s as though they yell out “Phew, at last, we made it. Time to rest. Is everyone okay?” 

Our discipleship feels like this sometimes as well. Putting out a lot of energy – in prayer, in scripture, in service to others, in wrestling with touch questions – and it feels like such little has been gained. Was it even worth it? We land in exhaustion, wondering if we have the strength to even try to fly again. Perhaps you are there now?

How about hummingbirds? Their wings beat 10-80+times a second, depending on the species. Their heart rate is 1,200 beats a minute. Sounds exhausting? And yet they appear so peaceful. Flitting here and there. Gathering food. Hovering in place and then moving on. All very intentional, all very focussed. And they are extremely small, yet can also be quite aggressive, punching above their weight class. Yet with all of the energy expended, they appear to accomplish exactly what they were meant to accomplish, with no regrets. 

Discipleship can appear like this at times as well. We do put out a lot, yet it still feels in some ways as it should be, and we feel as though the results of our efforts match the energy expended. We are grateful.

And this is our discipleship is it not? One month we feel like a hawk, the next like a duck and then like a hummingbird. And on we could go. Herons, robins, blue jays, red-winged black birds.

Reflecting on this may appear strange to you, yet I like to allow whatever is around me to guide me into reflecting on my personal discipleship. It keeps me focussed and aware of the unique journey a relationship with Jesus is.

So, how about you? What in your life can allow you to deepen your walk with Jesus? Because remember, it’s all about discipleship. And discipleship is “for the birds.”

For the kingdom.