"Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:3
Do you remember as a kid telling someone about your "booboo"? Remember peeling off the band aid, ready to receive some sympathy and maybe a kiss, only to drop your jaw wondering where the mark went? Never claiming to be a graceful runner, I've had my share of cuts, scrapes and road rash. Funny how those cuts and scrapes don't heal as quickly as they used to. Unfortunately, it's a fact that the older we get the longer our wounds take to heal. Physically speaking, many seemingly small cuts and bruises left untreated or ignored, can quickly fester and turn into infection. The same can definitely be said of our spiritual bodies.
Hebrews 12:15 warns to, "Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." For a plant to be healthy and thrive, it must have a healthy root system - what lies underneath bringing nutrients so the plant can grow. If that root becomes poisonous, the plant will soon wither and die. We are no different. As we age and "grow deeper roots", we are more affected by the many causes of bitterness like anger, envy, unforgiveness and jealousy. Left to fester, bitterness can poison us and those around us very quickly and keep us from living the life for which we were intended - we were made to thrive, "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice". Proverbs 29:2
It's no wonder then that Jesus instructs us to become more like little children. Don't give bitterness a chance to "grow up". Just as a child would, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32. Now thrive and rejoice!
Heavenly Father, thank You for your presence in our lives. Help us to be more like little children, harboring no bitterness or anger in our hearts so that we might let our wounds be quick to heal and even quicker to forgive those that caused them. Help us to rid our hearts and souls of anything that might keep us from the Kingdom of Heaven. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Made to thrive - Casting Crowns
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