God’s Arms Are Longer When We Use Ours
/September 23, 2019
Scripture
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. (Mark 10:13,14 NRSV)
God’s Arms Are Longer When We Use Ours
We used to kid a friend that he was normal in every way - until we were reaching for our wallets in a restaurant – then his arms became too short to reach his.
Getting short arms is a great danger in my world. We focus on listening to God, our own needs and asking for God’s help. Our groups, retreats and personal conversations invest in deepening friendship with God and one another. That’s all good.
But if we are seeking God and friendship only for our personal comfort we can become selfish and even narcissistic. We become like Jesus’ disciples who created barriers between the kids and Jesus. Hospitality and grace get replaced by barriers of self-protection
There is joy in extending our arms to serve the brokenness we see in our daily life – we’re just following Jesus’ example.
A Prayer for Today
Loving God, thank you for your friendship. Thank you for the friends that encircle my life. Stretch my arms to extend the same grace and mercy to those who come across my radar this day. For Jesus’ sake.
