Greatness Defined

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.   “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,  but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.     Matthew 18:1-6,10 ESV

Most of us have a pretty messed up understanding of "greatness."  When we hear the word "great" we tend to think of individuals in places of power, those with money, or people of fame.  In my head, I can hear the voice from the old Wizard of Oz movie saying, "I am Oz, the great and powerful!"

"Great" is a term that speaks of awe, prestige or respect, or implies experience.   Or so we tend to think...

When Jesus was asked to identify greatness, He didn't name a government leader.  He did not identify a person of wealth.  He didn't even point to the very religious.  He brought out a child. 

Our challenge as believers, as stated in Ephesians 5:1-2 is to, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.  Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ…”

So if we are going to follow the example of Christ, we must value what He values. The Scriptures tell us that what He values is children.  We must never lose sight of that important fact. 

With that in mind, the magnitude of what I am called to do as a houseparent to children in the foster care system becomes a bit more clear.  I have been entrusted to care for those who Jesus referred to as the “greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  It is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. 

In the current political climate where the work we do and the ways in which we do it are under close scrutiny from government agencies and various social service organizations, it is easy lose sight of what really matters.  On many levels, the way we are required to care for children is often dictated by people who have little comprehension of the needs of children or of “the system” within which we operate, and while we are working overtime to demonstrate to these “powers that be” that we are caring for children efficiently and effectively, we have to be careful to remember that that is not the most important thing.

What is most important is that we are caring for the sector of humanity that is special to Jesus.  And not only are children important to Christ, they are the priority of God the Father. That children have their own guardian angels is more than just a sweet bedtime story platitude.  It is, in fact, biblical truth.  Children not only have their own "guardian angels" - their angels have the inside line to the Father.  The scripture says that in heaven THEIR angels ALWAYS see the face of the Father! 

This beautiful fact is at once both weighty and freeing.  The angels who watch over the children in my care are ever in the presence of the Father, so I must walk wisely.  (Talk about close scrutiny!)  But on the other hand, there is no need that will ever go unnoticed.  On the hard days, and the days when I am weary, or frustrated, or feeling at the end of my rope, I am not alone in this work because the angels who watch over the children in my care are ever in the presence of the Father.  What better support system could I possibly ask for?

Just a thought...