Luke 9:46-48
They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. "Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me," he said. "And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of ours posted a video on Facebook of her 18-month-old daughter dancing. As the little toddler gave it all she had, her mom coached her… “You go, girl! Whooo… get down, sista!” And the baby did just that. She danced her heart out and shook, stomped, waved and spun with wild abandon. Her spirit for dancing was HUGE… larger than many adults several times her size could muster.
Children bring such an enthusiasm to much of what they attempt. They often fail to recognize their small stature and “go for the gusto” in whatever they try to accomplish. Think of the small toddler who picks up something as large as he/she is and tries to carry it. The older we get, the more stifled we become, it seems… the more uptight, insecure, and inhibited… and all aspects of our life are affected by this – especially our Spirituality.
Jesus wants us to celebrate and serve Him like the dancing toddler… with all-out abandon, complete spirit, enthusiasm and eagerness. He wants us to pick up things that seem far larger than our ability to carry them, confident that HE will make the difference! Jesus wants us to accept Him… believing that we can do all things with His strength. He doesn’t want us to assert ourselves because of our own greatness or place of honor beside Him, but rather because of His power in and through us.
Where do you fit in this picture? Are you jousting for “position” with Jesus, struggling to be mature, reserved and well-known among others as a “good Christian?” Or are you dancing with wild abandon… celebrating the Holy Spirit working in and through you… accepting Jesus and serving Him wherever He places you? The difference is huge…the size of your heart and your spirit matters… not your “position” as a Christian. When was the last time you danced for Jesus? C’mon, brothers and sistas… it’s time to get down!
©2011 Debbie Robus
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