As We #Reopen, Let the Children Lead

If you’re like me, I get a “verse of the day” on my phone.  Today’s verse was Jeremiah 17:7-8 which states, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD.  He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit”.  What a timely word.  The words “. . . does not fear”, “ . . . is not anxious”, and “does not cease to bear fruit” are so contrary to much of the what the country, and the world for that matter, are choosing.  Unfortunately, I, for one, have spent a lot of time this year mourning losses, even despairing in reaction to the unpleasant changes around me.  Sadly, many adults have not only despaired but quit going to church, quit attending Bible studies, and, let’s face it, quit interacting with others at all, especially those in need.  And now the question remains, as states open up for “meeting together”, and “get back to normal”, will I begin to socialize again or become perpetually reclusive?

While COVID has helped us develop good habits like hand washing and more frequent sanitizing of surfaces, it has also has helped us develop unhealthy habits of fear, indifference, and, let’s face it, hatred. Many of us now have the excuse to “not” do what we used to do.  Now, while some of those activities may be okay to cut out, those that include failing to “meeting together” with brothers and sisters in Christ, “not (withholding) good. . . . when it is in (our) power to act” (Proverbs 3:27), practicing hospitality (Romans 12:13), and looking “to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4) are not. 

One gift of many for me this year, and every year for that matter, has been interacting with teens every day.  I know, many people would not consider this a gift, but I do.  Kids, yes, even teens, are energetic, passionate, funny, opinionated, and ready for whatever’s next.  They do not know how to “take a year off” like many have suggested and even followed through with.  They have friends to see, grades to earn, games to play, races to run, and lives to live.  “Sit one out” is not in their vocabulary.

Having spent this perilous year around such a positive crowd has definitely helped me keep my attitude in check. Whenever I wanted to throw the towel in, their insatiable optimism inspired me to go on, to do what I was called to do. Even when things looked different, even masked up and six feet apart, I kept going. After all, they didn’t quit.

Maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said in the gospels, “Truly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2) and “. . . the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19: 14).

Until an adult tells them to stop, kids will still hug a friend who is sad, play a game, laugh, and do all they are allowed to do.  Fear? Sure, some of them are fearful, but not fearful enough to give up this thing we called life.  They are the ones I have looked to, focusing on the task at hand and not the looming, paralyzing fear.  After all, isn’t it this attitude that drove Abraham to (almost) sacrifice his only son, Moses to overcome his greatest fear, Joseph to face his hostile brothers, Daniel to defy the king, Joshua to conquer Jericho, and Jesus to willingly die on a cross?

So, as we enter into a new phase, whatever that may be for each of us, may we look to the children around us, ready to live at the smallest opportunity.  Let them show us how to use of “shield of faith”, and feet “fitted with the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6: 15-16), as we venture out and begin to “live” as He intended despite the risks around us.