Sometimes things are not always as they seem. For example, does one plus one always equal two? That is an odd question, because it seems so simple. But what if you took one piece of gum and stuck it into your mouth, then added another . . . one plus one, right? How much gum would you have in your mouth? The answer is one . . . one plus one would then equal one. Things aren’t always as they seem.
Take this piece of paper. It looks like an ordinary piece of paper . . . for writing or drawing or copying. But watch when I start folding it [fold it into an airplane]. It becomes a flying machine.
Sometimes we need a little change to see things clearly. With my paper airplane I can see things a bit higher . . . and things will look different. But what if we went higher [demonstrate the toy helicopter] up in the air there is a better view. This toy is simply fun to play with. But what if we went even higher [Drone appears]. Wow that’s a whole new perspective. Actually that drone has a camera on it and it is seeing all of us from a different perspective.
Sometimes we need a different view to see familiar things in a new way.
Jesus invites his disciples to think about being a disciple. He says in the gospel, that it is not so much about being the best or being number one . . . but it is rather it is about serving. About allowing others to have their needs met. And then he goes so far as to say, that being a disciple is like being a child. This could mean a number of things . . .
1. Children are observant to the smallest details. They can get easily distracted. [Squirrel . . . as I look away]. And get amused with the tiniest things … the shape of a leaf, the antics of an ant, the sound of a train. Perhaps it is a good lesson for us to start noticing details and not to be in such a hurry, but to pay more attention to God’s creation all around us
2. What kids do best is play. Perhaps we “older kids” could add more play into our lives. Not play as in needing to win something or play to boost our egos, but playing so as simply to have fun. Play simply expresses who we are in God. This Fall Fest is a wonderful opportunity for you to play . . . go slide on an inflatable, try the stilts, dance with the bands . . . become more childlike.
3. The final aspect of welcoming a child’s spirit . . . is to trust. Kids don’t really have a choice, they rely on adults to feed them, keep them warm, and keep them safe. In the best scenario, a child doesn’t have to worry about too many things because they can feel protected with the assurance that no matter what . . . it will all be OK. Maybe that’s what God is asking of you today. I.e. not to worry so much. Focus right here on the here and now. Whatever it is, it will be OK. As you have heard me say before, “In the end everything will work out, and if it hasn’t worked out yet that means it is not quite the end.” Be more childlike and trust God.