If you observe a little child, they are full of love for everyone around them. They forgive quickly and give hugs and smiles freely. They might not have much, but they smile quickly, laugh with and love everyone around them. Whatever they are feeling, they are honest about it. Our 3-year-old brings us so many laughs with her honesty. I love it when my children give their honest commentary on situations, they are innocent and without pretense, and often have more wisdom than adults.
One of the phrases in the scriptures that I think refers to children, and those who are humble like children is "The first will be last and the last will be first." Matthew 20:15 We have been taught in church that this refers to the gospel being given first to the House of Israel, then the Gentiles, then coming back to the House of Israel before the Lord's coming. As news stories have come out about the corruption and scandals in many organizations, this verse stands out even more to me, and I think it may have more than one meaning.
Those who have been first in the earthly kingdoms, that have red carpet rolled out for them, that glory in the praise of men and seek the corrupted things of this world will be last. Those who obtain power over others by usurping control and position will be undone, exposed. Their hearts will be known. The leaders who control the wealth and corrupt organizations of this fallen world, they will be last in the kingdom of God. The fame and glory of this corrupt world will have no place in the Lord's kingdom that is to come. The vain words of religious leaders that do not personally know the Lord they claim to represent, and build up earthly kingdoms of wealth for themselves while neglecting the poor will be undone. Their deceptions and evil designs will be visible to all. Their earthly kingdoms will crumble like sand. Only what is righteous, and is worthy of Jesus and His way of reigning will remain. Only those who have truly known the Lord as their personal friend, Deliverer, and trusted Him as their Savior, will be on a solid foundation- in whichever religion they are found. Every other foundation that men depend on will crumble and be washed away. Jesus alone is the sure foundation. All that is unworthy of the Lord and his Heavenly kingdom will be shaken until the only things left standing are the things that can withstand the Lord's coming.
Those who are last, the least of these, in the world's earthly kingdoms will be first in Jesus' kingdom. The poor, the children, especially those who have suffered much and who have loved the Lord. These will be heard, their testimonies of Jesus will be heard. Knowing and loving the Lord is what matters most, and those who have loved him while enduring the crosses of this world will be heard. Jesus knows those in difficult circumstances- those who have been the last to be able to walk, those who have been unable to communicate, those who are the last to be fed, those who have waited years to be healed, those who have been abused and cast out. He has a special love for his children who struggle many years for the blessings most of us take for granted. He knows what they go through. Their tears are turned to joy through Jesus and his love. Their praise, their glory in Jesus will be heard! They will bear testimony of Jesus' deliverance, of his forgiveness, of his amazing love. Some of their prayers that only the Lord could understand will be understood by all. They will sound like angels, praising God. Those who have suffered will tell of how Jesus walked with them when they were alone, despised. They will give testimony of how when no one understood them, Jesus understood them, forgave them, and healed them. They will tell of how Jesus visited them, and that Jesus love is the greatest gift they've ever received. They will dance for you Jesus, and their joy will not be contained. Their praise will be joined by the angels in heaven praising their Heavenly king. Their witnesses of Jesus will be heard, and all will glorify Jesus as our Lord, our Light, our Master Healer and wonder at His many marvelous works and amazing love. Jesus' love, miracles and help in our lives will be revealed. All will bear witness that Jesus has earned the title of Savior. Jesus will be lifted up by all, not on a cross, but this time lifted up in praise and adoration as our King. I can't wait to learn about all the wonderful things Jesus has done, which we only have a small record of so far. I can't wait until all the earth glorifies Jesus.
Am I ready for that day? Imagine that inside of you is a spiritual clothing that covers your spirit. This clothing is your thoughts, your words, your actions. This clothing includes what you think of God, and your relationship with the Lord. It includes how you see others, whether with criticism and contempt or with patience and love. It is everything about you that can't be measured or seen outwardly, physically- it is what is inside your heart and mind. This spiritual clothing may be invisible to us here on earth, but to God and his angels, this spiritual clothing is very visible. When our thoughts are unkind, demeaning of others, it is a stain on us, like dropping a big spoonful of red spaghetti sauce on the front of your white shirt. Mean, judgmental or vulgar thoughts and words have the same effect as pouring a cup of dirt on our clothing. Sometimes these thoughts come from the adversary, but it is up to us whether we give them any room to grow in our mind, or whether they are quickly driven away. Our thoughts are invisible to each other, but to God who sees all, we must look like the toddler who claims to have washed but has dirt all over their hands, face, and clothing. We are all in need of repentance, of seeking Jesus' forgiveness. If my thoughts were a piece of clothing, what color would they be?
One of the aspects of church culture that is so damaging is the emphasis on outward physical appearance and propriety, instead of focusing on having a personal relationship with the Lord and loving others. The problem is thinking that in looking good and outwardly keeping the rules we are right before God, when it is what is inside our hearts that matters most.
My 17 year old son was telling me that he recently watched a video of a teenager who didn't know how to put on a tie for a job interview, and an elderly neighbor helped him. He jokingly told me that one of the benefits of church attendance was learning how to put on a tie, I think he was teasing me to see my response. I told my son that was one of the problems with churches- we know how to look good on Sunday with white shirts and Sunday best, but often that takes the focus away from Jesus, and really coming to Him. If you looked in my closet, a large part of what is there is for dressing well on Sunday or other special occasions. If you looked in my heart, would Jesus be there? Do my thoughts and love for the Lord take up more room than anything else in my heart? If what was in my heart was worn on the outside, what would it look like?
I love Alma's words in Alma 5, this whole chapter is a great one to read to examine ourselves.
"Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in interruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body? . . . Can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? . . . For there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem this people from their sins. . . Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith, Repent and I will receive you. Yeah, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat, and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely; Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire." Alma 5:14-35
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and annoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Revelation 3:17-21
Dear Lord, as the earth and all the earthly kingdoms will be shaken before you come, please shake in me all that is not true or worthy of you. Search my heart, search the dark corners. Reveal to me what is untrue, unworthy of you, in me. Let me see my sins more clearly, those things that offend you. Help me to more fully turn to you and repent. Search out the hidden parts of my heart- the pride, the lusts, the jealousies, the envy, the selfishness, the criticism of others. Help me clean them out as unwelcome house guests. As you cleaned the temple in Jerusalem, help me to drive from my temple the things that defile it. Please fill me with your light, your love, your understanding, your wisdom, your knowledge, your truth. Please show me any false traditions that I hold to that keep me from knowing you more fully. Please make me clean. Please wash me, with your precious blood that was shed for me, please, wash my sins away. Please cover my sins and nakedness with your forgiveness, bought for me at such a terrible sacrifice and cost to you. Help me to love and forgive others freely as you love and forgive me freely. As the earth will shake and tremble, and be cleansed before you come, please cleanse my heart and prepare me for your coming. Please let me depend on and trust in you alone. Lord, you have allowed disappointments in people, organized religions, and earthly organizations, that I may come to you and see you, Jesus, as the only perfect source of perfect love. That I may find wholeness in you and not in anything of this world. Teach me, help me to see you more. Open my eyes to see your works that are all around me. Wash my eyes, my feet, and all of me that I may see you and glorify you. Please stay near me, and keep me close to you always. In Jesus' name, Amen.
