Daily Worship

Molehills into Mountains

James Cathcart January 08, 2017 0 0
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Matthew 18:1-5

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them,  and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

This week in Journaling the Journey, we are thinking about Foothills, those early adventures where play and imagination are as important as determination and endurance. As a child a trip up the hill in the local park can become a trek of survival against the odds to crest the highest peak… all before getting back in time for tea! Turning molehills into mountains is part of the fun of childhood.

We find Foothills in the early stages of other journeys in our life too. The first time you’re asked to reload paper into the office printer, or that first time you decide to ask So and So from salsa class if they’d like to go for a drink after. These are small steps that feel like giant leaps. Foothills seem so hard at the time, not because they are so utterly daunting in themselves, but because we treat them seriously, throwing ourselves in to them. Children, office newbies, and salsa dancers are not being frivolous when they wrap themselves up in the adventure of, what in hindsight, looks like something relatively insignificant. They are taking the Foothills at the start of the journey seriously with an open heart.

This is why Jesus suggests in the Gospels that we should become like children. It takes humility to not be world-weary. Children take things seriously, keen to learn and grow. Stay with me this week to hear about some of my Foothills. Look out for dodgy lavender perfume, debonair rodents, oh and Elvis…

 

Dear God,

Help us to keep the wonder of childhood

to take you seriously 

with heartfelt imagination 

as we run around the Foothills 

Amen.