FREE LIKE A CHILD - by Todd Benjamin Lout

Jesus said, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?" For an answer he called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me." (this was in Matthew, chapter 18, verse 3) Allow me to explain that the "Kingdom" in this passage is the government of God in our lives....in our thinking, in our dealings, in our relationships.  It's talking about God's better way of existing in all aspects. Also, Jesus is not referring to the maturity of a young child here. Rather, He's referring to the uninhibited, free from the fear of man, dance-around-in-faith-knowing-that-your-dads'-got-you type of zeal that kids tend to have.  In my own words, this theme would be like this: "Stop analyzing everything to death. Stop worrying and replace that worry with faith in Him. Stop busying yourself so much that you don't actually experience life. Instead, surrender to the Perfect One Who has your best interest in mind.  Laugh, Dance, Wildly Worship, Paint, Create, Love People..... Do this and you'll be able to constantly walk in the realm that God is in. His realm is freedom." This last Saturday night was our all worship service. (Musical worship, that is.) It's funny as a worship leader how you can feel the zeal, (or lack of it), in a room.  At times there's a cry in my spirit like, "Come on everybody!  Look up to the joyous King Who called you by name! Give this some energy!!" Of course I'm not gonna shout that out all the time. I mean, what do I know about what's really going on inside of everyone in the room? But there are times it feels like I want to cheerlead.  THEN, here comes a child, up on the stage. He was free free free! If I could show you the 2.5 minute video I took of this 5 minute moment you would start laughing so much.  I believe you would laugh not only because it's so cute, but because there's something inside of us that wants to be like that kid.  It just stirs up great feelings in our God nature and we can't help but laugh! By the way, that child was my own grandson, Ezra. You can see in this capture from the video that he was literally airborne! He was dancing so freely and jumping around.  It was refreshing and all I could think is, "What if we all were like this....what a worship service this would be. It might spread through the whole city!" Let's remember, daily, that Jesus, Himself, bacons us to let go and be childlike! Blessings to you all!  Love, Todd P.S. There was a lady in our church who took off skipping all around the room at one point....I had the same thoughts when I saw her doing this. In fact, just seeing that loosened me up and I was instantly more free.