I cannot tell you how many books, and articles I’ve read that tell me again and again that when my child disobeys “its not personal”. It sure seems personal though. I mean, I tell my child to stop, he looks at me, and then proceeds to disobey.

Sometimes it’s worse. I tell my child to obey, he stops, and then pitches a huge fit in the middle of the store. Kicking and screaming all the way to the car. It’s upsetting, it hurts my feelings, and it seems from all appearances that he is doing it to me

It feels personal. It seems as though my child is defying me. Personally.

So for these reasons every time I hear that tales of “its not personal” I mentally dismiss it straightaway.

Then I had a thought.

I know the rules God has for me. They are clearly written in His Word. A few come to mind straightaway:

Love God.

Love people.

Obey God’s Word.

Hmm. I disobey all the time. Sometimes thoughtlessly. Sometimes in clear defiance of what I know is right.

This has caused me to reflect on my motivations, “Am I actually sinning to hurt God personally”. Is that seriously in my thought process? The answer for me is no. I’m not consciously thinking “how can I offend God?” or “now I’ve really made God mad!”

Yet even though I may not be trying to hurt God’s heart, I do.

The Bible tells us to grieve not the Holy Spirit. I take this to mean that my sinful actions cause Him grief. Just as the behavior of my children causes me grief, as a child of God I do the same thing. I grieve my Father.

I’ve been convicted over the past few weeks as I’ve thought about how I offend my Creator, that my actions cause His Spirit grief.  When I choose sin, I am pleasing myself, with no respect for the Father who sent His Son to die for me. Just because I’m not intentionally trying to grieve Him, it doesn’t change the fact that I am.

The disciples didn’t want to take time for children. In their minds Jesus didn’t have time to bless little children. Yet Jesus insists that the children come to Him.

Jesus really does love the little children. There are stories about children that have brought the Lord’s use of children to humble adults into focus for me. In our grown up world, we often see children’s ideas and time as simply childish. They do not have an impact on our important big people world. Yet God’s Word is sprinkled with stories of children doing His work, and exposing the pride of the adults around them.

The boy who brings 5 loaves and 2 fishes is a good example. The disciples are distraught, how will they feed all 5000 people? What if this mob turns angry and tries to get them because they are hungry? It just can’t be done. Yet a small boy brings his food to Jesus and He creates a feast for the crowd. Jesus used the small meal of a little boy to humble the disciples and show His power.

David was a just a kid when he killed the lion that was threatening his sheep. God used the faith of David to then defeat Goliath. All the adults were afraid; they were terrified of the Philistines’ giant Goliath. However, David comes to bring his big, manly brothers food and is the only one willing to stand up to the giant. He was just a kid, but he did what God wanted him to do. God used him to not only defeat Goliath but to humble the army of Israel. How foolish they had been not to believe that God would help them. Instead of using the massive army against Goliath, He chose a less than intimidating young boy and his sling shot.
God chooses the least of these to be great. He wants the person with a faith-filled heart to serve Him. That is why He tells the disciples to that “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not(F) receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Children believe what we tell them. They are not jaded by the cynicism we often acquire as adults. Young children are usually not embarrassed to ask for help when they need it.

Our independence keeps us from God’s kingdom. We are prone to pride which tells us we don’t need help, which often translates to an attitude that doesn’t need a Savior. It’s tragic.

I’m not suggesting we live immaturely, as adults we should be growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. However, I believe there is a lesson from God’s Word in regards to the humility of children. We need to allow ourselves to depend on God. To believe that with Him all things are possible.

We must pursue a life of humility so that He can use us for His purpose and not our own.