The meaning of the word: CHILD
Ever read a well known verse in the Bible, and realized that although you know this verse well, you never before stopped at the verse to let it really have an impact your life? You then also realize that you have never really understood the verse. It is usually at that moment that you and God set offon a new journey of discovery and revelation.
Matt 18:3 “...unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (NIV)
Reading this verse I found myself in the middle of Jamaica, an island in the middle of the Caribbean, facing a well known verse with a lot of questions. We entered Jamaica on the 12th of April, and had the privilege to minister to the people over a period of more than 3 weeks. In Jamaica we had to do a lot of different types of ministries in different regions.
We started off in Kingston, the capital city of Jamaica, at a church called ‘The people’s church’.
Here we met Pastor Neville Wright a man with a big open heart that walks closely with the Lord. Through him we got to minister at a street feeding project, were we helped to give food for people living on the street. We visited an old age home which is home to mentally and physically disabled people. We helped to feed them as most of them are unable to do this by themselves; we combed their hair, cut their nails, listened to their stories, although due to their disabilities you mostly can’t understand a word. It was a wonderful experience to see the heart God had for these people.
It was also in Kingston that we quickly realized that Jamaica was a place that was at war, not a physical war but a spiritual war. Bombarded with multitude types of believes and churches, the truth of the word of God got twisted by the enemy. Rastafarians smoking their weed are everywhere and violence affects each and every family in some way. But right in the middle of all this Christians are growing more powerful in their faith and walking closely with the Holy Spirit.
After Kingston we were off to Falmouth and St. Anne’s bay
It was here at yet another street feeding, that I met Clive. Clive was a man living on the streets, with no job, family or food. We started to minister to him, but soon realized that we weren’t only talking to Clive- as the demons surfaced in him through his tone of voice and facial expressions. In the midst of this, God started to show to me the first glimpse of answers to all my questions. I realized that it is not just us that must become like children, but that we all are God’s children. He loves us as his children- unconditionally. God loves Clive unconditionally, no matter what he did in his past, the amount of fights he started, how he looked or where he stayed. God died for him on that cross as well - he just had to take the gift of salvation and the love God was offering him.
I realized that in becoming a child we go into a father–child relationship with God. This means that He will love us unconditionally, that He will always protect us, He knows us and wants to spend time with us. He is the perfect Father.
In these two towns we were kept very busy with kids’ ministries. God put me in the perfect
place to reveal answers to all my questions. We got the opportunity to go to a multitude of schools, ranging from pre-school to high school. The schools had opened their doors for us to speak to the students during devotions, where we got the opportunity to share a message with them as the Lord guided us each time. The message usually went hand in hand with a drama, dance or skit.
For our last week we found ourselves back in Kingston continuing with more kids’ ministry. We had the opportunity to share a message with students from a Bible school and also helped painting the school. We shared out testimonies at a local church and visited the old age home again.
Through these last two weeks God slowly showed me what Heis expecting from us when He said that we must become like children. It means TRUSTING our father without ceasing, trusting in His provision, trusting that he has a plan in every situation, trusting Him that He will use every situation for the best. It means OBEYING without questioning, because God our father knows best for us. It means BELIEVING without asking questions. It means SHARING with our friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. It means LAUGHING, PLAYING, SMILING and having no worries about tomorrow. It even means that you can go to your dad, sit on his lap, SPEND TIME WITH HIM and tell Him about your day, your feelings your problems and joy.
Greetings and Blessings.
Marlene Putter
Matt 19:14 “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”