“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying , Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him , and set him in the midst of them, And said , Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted , and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” –Matthew 18 1-4
As I slept last night, I had a dream that I wanted to share a portion of it so it may be an encouragement to someone. I was assisting a church during their worship service when they encouraged me to say something. As I was walking up the aisle toward the front I began to share with everyone that I had recently had a child. And in watching that baby, God was giving me revelation towards life. I was just sharing a few observations and before I knew it, I was preaching.
I remember it so vividly as if it actually happened and can almost repeat word for word what was said. I stated how my daughter has complete dependence on my wife and me. She eats because we decide to feed her. She goes places because we carry her. She gets cleaned because we clean her. She stays warm because we clothe and snuggle her. In her infant state she cannot do any of these things on her own and she would not survive without someone providing for her. So it brings to mind when Jesus said that we should humble ourselves as a child. We are all mature enough now to go where we want, eat what we want, buy what we want, and so much more. In doing so, we tend to become self-dependent or self-sufficient. That is to be able to provide for or support ourselves without the help of others.
But is it ever truly as such? Are we really the source of our food, money, and well-being? To humble one-self is to lower the importance of who we are and what we have, or better put, who we think we are and what we think we have. Humbling ourselves before God is vital in our relationship with Him. As I am a father to Gabrielle, so is God a Father to us all. So when we humble ourselves like a child, it is placing total dependence upon God to supply all your needs. So when you are hungry, trust God to feed you. When you are hurting, trust God to comfort you. When you feel no one is there for you, trust God to be there for you. When you need guidance, trust God to see you through. When you’re in a storm, trust God to shelter you. When you are weak, trust God to be your strength. Whatever it is, whatever your need, sincerely and patiently trust God to supply your needs.
When we moved out of our parent’s house and declared that we are “grown”, it shifted dependence away from them to ourselves. And as life progressed, we shifted our dependence around to others as well. Our parents took a step back in their support because we were no longer children, or as we say, we were no longer their babies. Here is the key in this analogy. While we were with our parents as children, we had to abide by the house rules laid down by our parents. Likewise, when we humble ourselves as children in the Kingdom of God, we must abide by the Kingdom rules laid out by the Word of God. In our humbleness, submission, and obedience to Him in Jesus’ name, God made a promise to supply our needs. You may not have everything you want in life, but you have what you need. And what you feel you are missing in life, try not to place that dependence on others around you, not even yourselves; place that dependence on God. God can use others around you to supply your needs, but the ultimate source of all you have, want, and need comes from the Lord.
So give God the glory in all that you are able to do and all that you are able to have. Your job, your bank account, your possessions, your family and friends, etc., it is all by our Heavenly Father who finds it good pleasure to bless us. But that blessing comes when we abide in His Kingdom, follow His rules, and trust Him in our daily lives. Not just when we go to church, but every aspect of our lives. People find it funny when they taste something I cooked and ask where I got the recipe, with my answer being divine inspiration. Truth is, I am not a good cook, and I don’t even like to cook. But I tend to go in the kitchen and ask God for guidance. A pinch of this, a teaspoon of that, and before I know it, I have this delicious meal. Why? It was because I humbled myself as a child and trusted God to help me prepare a meal. It’s a meal that not only did He help me prepare, but blessed me with all the ingredients to make it happen. See, we can find so many ways to give God the glory in all that we do, and all that we have if we just take the time to give Him His due praise.
I breathe because of God! I can type this because of God! All that I am, all that I have, all that I will be and will have is because of God! And as a child, I place my dependence upon Him in Jesus’ name to be a Father to me now and forever more. So I encourage you my brother and my sister, whatever it is you are going through right now, whatever it is you need in your life right now, trust God before you trust man or yourself. Lean not to your own understanding, but acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. I waited decades to be blessed with a son and a daughter, and God blessed me just as I asked. I can go on and on about so many ways He has blessed me, protected me, corrected me, guided me, and so much more. But instead, I challenge you to try it for yourself and create your own testimonies from what you are experiencing right now. God is always ready to love you like a Father, and in return we can love Him back like a child. Not just to get things from Him, but just because He deserves our obedience, praise, and glory. Humble yourself as a child and see what God will do for you.
I believe I had this dream because just days ago I looked up towards Heaven and asked for guidance. See, in the midst of caring for my wife who just had a cesarean and my newborn child, my son became contagiously ill. I caught myself short of complaining and turned to God for guidance. Within days, he was healed of his infirmity and through it all, with very little sleep, chances to eat, etc., God kept me strong to take care of the house and my family. I don’t talk from cliché’s; I talk from experience of what God has done for me. If He did it for me, He did it for those in the bible, then surely He will do it for you too; if you trust Him completely with full dependence. This dream encouraged me tremendously and I pray that someone reads this and is encouraged as well. I love you in Jesus’ name, amen.
Humbly submitted in Jesus’ name,
Brother Kelvin
