We often quote the following 3 positions:  There is the man I think I am, the man I desire others to see who I am, and thirdly and most importantly, the man who God sees I am.  The latter is the only true picture.  Nothing is hidden from the all-seeing eye of God, Psalm 139 wonderfully demonstrates this.  God knows me far better than I know, or understand, myself.  He often has to reveal to me, by His Holy Spirit, the things He knows about me that I do not – the things He wants to adjust to His order for my life, and always for my highest good.

It is good to take stock of my life under the Holy Spirit’s light.  Am I teachable?  Am I easily entreated?  Do I think that my opinions and views are the only ones that are right?  Can I be challenged without falling out with my brethren?  Am I accountable to others or do I believe that God is the only one I have need to account to?  God has set each member in The Body, with Christ as the Head, (Colossians 1:18),  and there is safety in the Body.  

The teachings of Jesus cut to the heart of the matter and reveal disorder, to put things right.  In Matthew 18 we find the disciples of Jesus wanting to know who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus calls a little child and sets him in the midst of them.  He then says as they are observing the child, (verses 3-4),  “…..Except you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven”.

Jesus taught that true greatness is humility, not rank or position.  A child in a healthy relationship with his parents is trusting, teachable and care free.  Jesus taught that we must humble ourselves “to become” as little children.  If I am “to become” as a child it implies I am not there yet, thus I have a responsibility to humble to that position.  Maybe I don’t like to think I have need of milk, when I think I have progressed to the strong meat of the word.  In Hebrews 5 we find a warning to those who have slipped and become “dull of hearing”, (verse 11).  Verse 12 : “For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat”.  

The challenge is:  Have I done my homework?  Are my relationships healthy in God’s eyes?  Have I put anyone in my dustbin/trash can?   Do I need to do some revision?  Have I slipped and become dull of hearing?  ……..Have I humbled myself and become as a little child?

There is a big difference between being childish and child-like.  God does not require the petulance of childishness, but seeks the humility to become child like and teachable.  To become as a little child is related to my responsibility to humble myself.

1 Corinthians 10:12 warns “Let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall”.  Any standing I have is in Christ alone and His finished work of Calvary.  If I am different in any way to others who have transgressed, it is only because of Christ’s grace, strength and mercy I have received from Him.  If He removed it from my life, I would be no different to others who have fallen.  Stay in the safety of the humility of Christ.

God’s Word is to encourage us, not discourage.  Abraham had a long wait before he received the fulfillment of God’s promise of a son, Isaac.  There were a lot of changes to take place in Abraham, many lessons to be learnt.  For us, the journey between milk and strong meat, is no different to Abraham’s, just different circumstances but the same lessons.  On our journey, let us stay thankful for everything God sends, or permits and uses, to teach us His ways and draw closer to Him.  God has an interest in each one of us.  We are all important to Him.  In this dark world God is still in full control and sets the boundaries even on how far evil can go.

In child like trust we can abandon all fear and rest in the control of His hands.  Whatever befalls us, as we stay trusting and simple in child-like faith, we will enjoy the blessings of our wondrous God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.