Enjoy these wonderful words from John Chryssavgis on “leastness,” and G. K. Chesterton on the youthful vitality of God Himself:
?The kingdom is already granted to little children, not, I think because of the subjective qualities that we tend to appreciate in them, such as their cuteness, their smallness, or their playfulness. The kingdom is theirs, I suspect, because objectively they are vulnerable, weak, lowly, and helpless. Left to themselves, they would die. This ?Ieastness,? I submit, is their title-deed to the highest place in the kingdom of God, the same God who once became an infant for us, who became ?least? for us on the cross.? (John Chryssavgis. Soul Mending: The Art of Spiritual Direction. Brookline: Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 2000, p. 6.)
?A child kicks his legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, ?Do it again?; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, ?Do it again? to the sun; and every evening, ?Do it again? to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy?, for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we. (G. K. Chesterton. Orthodoxy. Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press, 1994, 2001, p. 84.)
Nearly every time I lead a group in solitude, silence and prayer, someone experiences God inviting them to be somehow playful or child-like. Once, at one of our retreats, a businessman sat on a bench and watched bunnies in a park. That wasn?t on his weekly planner, I guarantee you. He was humbled and grateful for God?s gracious care for all that He has made.
Another woman, in her 70s, shared sometime back that in her time alone with God, He brought back to mind scenes from her childhood in Hawaii. She shared how refreshing, encouraging and energizing it was to remember this chapter of her life at God?s invitation. Her countenance was youthful.
As you come before God today, in what ways is your prayer child-like? In what ways are you coming more as adult? Pray to Abba, your heavenly Father, remembering He has anticipated your approach. He loves to be with His beloved sons and daughters.
- How might God be inviting you to childlikeness today?
- Can you take a moment to play, enjoy the beauty of nature (even in your own back yard)?
- How might God be inviting you to join Him in His ?do it again??
Profound stuff. Spoke to my heart…