Grow Up to be a Child Part 1 “Let the Children Come” Traditional Service Livestream

Remember when you were a kid?

Summer was all about exploring new adventures, hanging out with friends, swimming, vacation trips, ice cream, going barefoot, making memories, and having fun.

Remember what it was like? Before you became an adult and had to worry about getting a job, paying your bills, and dealing with all the problems that come with life. Before you knew about things like illness and death, wars, violence and hatred, racism, poverty, and suffering.

I still remember him. His name is Mark (not his real name). He was a part of a church I served years ago. Great family, great kid. He was smart, funny, full of life and full of great potential. We all agreed that Mark was destined for great things. That was years ago. Today Mark is homeless and still battling a drug addiction that destroyed his life and ripped apart his family. I often wonder what happened. How did such a beautiful child end up in such a terrible place?

If we’re not careful, the world does something to us as we grow up. It can harden us, make us cynical, angry, bitter, full of hatred. It can crush our spirit, kill our dreams, and drain us of hope.

“Let the children come to me”, says Jesus.

Meaning, let me get to them before the world does.

Before they learn to hate.

Before they lose hope.

Before they discover that some people in this world are cruel and unkind.

Before someone tells them, they are not smart enough, not attractive enough, not good enough.

Before they encounter real evil, real violence.

Before they lose their innocence.

Before it’s too late.