Daily Delight

“Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable, and learn about heaven’s kingdom realm with the wide-eyed wonder of a child, you will never be able to enter in. Whoever continually humbles himself to become like this gentle child is the greatest one in heaven’s kingdom realm.” – Matthew 18:3-4 (TPT)

Often in our Christian walk, we feel the pressure to have it all together—to do all the right things and have all the right answers. In Matthew 18, Jesus counteracts this by telling us that the greatest in the kingdom is the one who carries a childlike faith, the one who is caught up with the awe and mystery of who He is. He isn’t calling us to a place of childishness, but rather to the place of wonder.

Living in wonder before the Lord is so important. When we gaze on Him, we begin to change. Our level of expectancy increases, and we become unafraid to dream God dreams. Our imaginations come alive for the kingdom, and we see everything with the color and vibrancy we were meant to. Wonder leads to joy because we are gazing on joy Himself. We learn that joy is not found in the absence of trouble but in the simplicity of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:11). Being childlike, or having a sense of wonder, also means being unafraid to trust God. If you look at a little kid with his or her parent, the child trusts the parent innately to meet its needs. Kids take the word of their parents. When we become childlike, we are content to take God at His word, even if it doesn’t make sense to our human minds. We don’t need to question or ask for a sign, but we know that because He has said it, we can rely on it (Num. 23:19). 

So, what is the secret to living in the place of wonder? Jesus tells us it is a change in mindset, to become teachable and humble. That is the way of childlike wonder. Let Him transform your mind today—to move from a place of apathy to awe, from misery to marvel, from callus to captivated. All you need to do is fix your eyes on Him. 

About the Author

Steph McGown

Steph loves Jesus, coffee, and music- anything folk, alternative or Taylor Swift. You’ll normally find her sitting in her favourite spot at her local coffee store, she is a creature of habit. Originally from Ireland, Steph recently moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario, to work as worship and creative arts intern at Redwood Park church. It’s the best decision she has ever made. 

Her heart is for the local church and she avidly believes in the role of community in the lives of followers of Jesus.