The Childlike Heart

Have you ever felt stuck in a rut, revisiting old pains and sorrows, even when you know you should move on? In his Sunday message, Dr. GreGory shared a deeply personal story about his own struggle with grief and the unexpected way he found freedom.

Visiting the Grave

Pastor spoke about his grandmother's passing and how he found himself drawn to her grave. He would even bring a beautiful rug to lay on, spending hours there in contemplation. But one day, the Lord spoke to him, urging him to stop these visits. They were bringing his spirit down.

He shared how we all have those places that we cling to, physical or emotional. But as Dr. GreGory discovered, sometimes the most loving thing God can do is tell us to move.

Becoming Like Little Children

The sermon then shifted to a question the disciples once asked Jesus: "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus' answer? A little child.

And wow, Dr. GreGory really unpacked this! He emphasized the need for us to shed our adult egos and embrace childlike humility. He spoke of how jealousy and strife are signs of a "worldly" mindset, keeping us from experiencing true spiritual growth.

This was a wake-up call. It's easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others, envying their successes or possessions. But as Pastor put it, true jealousy is wanting what someone else has for ourselves. It's a selfish desire that separates us from God and others.

The Difference Between Jealousy and Covetousness

Dr. GreGory shared a profound insight: jealousy is often disguised as love. We can love someone and still be jealous of them. But covetousness, he explained, is rooted in dislike. We want to see the other person without what they have.

This distinction hit home. It made us reflect on our relationships and how jealousy can subtly poison them. But Pastor's words offered a way forward: to recognize these feelings, address them honestly, and choose love over envy.

A Childlike Reminder

In a delightful twist, Dr. GreGory shared how, while in a furniture store of all places, he stumbled upon children's books: "Jesus and Me" and "A Special Blessing From God." This unexpected discovery served as a reminder of the importance of approaching our faith with childlike wonder and simplicity.

It was a call to return to the basics of our Christianity, focusing on the Fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

He emphasized this reminder with a verse of scripture that encapsulated the essence of

his sermon in Matthew 18:3, NIV:

"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

He reminded us that God's love in us, should be shared through the way we treat and interact with people in our daily lives.

May Your Life Be Good News

Let's pray that we can all strive to become more like those little children Jesus spoke of, root out jealousy from our hearts, and bear the Fruits of the Spirit that bring good news to all who meet us.