growing into a child
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 18:1-4)
After a holiday to Disneyland in France with my two children, I was surprised by their excitement over the small things, like the pain au chocolat for breakfast and the seven-minute train ride to the park. Sometimes, these ‘smaller’ moments eclipsed the grander attractions Disneyland had to offer! The more I observe my young children, the more I understand the simple lessons Jesus was conveying in this passage, showing how my Father wants me to live.
Jesus is very clear that unless we become like small children, we will never get into the Kingdom of God. These are profound and powerful words, and it is important to reflect on the characteristics of children that we can apply to our lives as Christian healthcare professionals.
living in the joy of the present moment
Young children tend to live in the moment, excited about what is right in front of them. They are fully devoted to the present task, with little concern for daily worries or the tasks that need to be completed.
In contrast, our daily workplaces often consume us with the next task on the unending ‘to-do’ list. While having a structured day is important, failing to live in the ‘present’ with the patient in front of us can lead to greater dissatisfaction. Jesus was always fully ‘present’ with those he encountered. I believe Jesus wants us to adopt a more ‘present’ mindset, focusing on the moment rather than the never-ending to-do list or the many distractions that come our way.
humble acceptance
While young children may sometimes fixate on acquiring more toys or sweets, they generally display a contented acceptance of what they already have. They aren’t preoccupied with constantly improving their circumstances or seeking more; instead, they embrace their present situation with a carefree attitude.
As I read the Gospels, I notice that Jesus wants us to have the same humble acceptance of what he has blessed us with. There may be many challenging aspects to the workplace we are in, including frustration with colleagues or a ‘failing system’. While it is important to highlight areas for improvement, we should also humbly acknowledge and appreciate the many blessings our workplaces offer, especially when compared to many healthcare systems around the world.
faith & forgiveness
Jesus teaches that we must have faith like a child. Children have a simple and trusting faith. Young children often have the ability to trust and accept things without needing all the details. Similarly, childlike faith is about having trust and confidence in God, even when we don’t fully understand his ways or plans. As healthcare professionals, we are acutely aware of the suffering and the ethical and moral dilemmas we face. While it is crucial to understand these issues, we must accept that there are many things on this side of heaven that we won’t fully grasp. Jesus teaches us to have faith like a child – innocent and pure trust that can inspire us to follow God. I’ve noticed that children are quick to get annoyed with each other and argue, but they are even quicker to apologise and move on. I’m often amazed at how swiftly my two children say sorry and then resume playing as if nothing happened. This is truly refreshing, and there’s a valuable lesson here for life and the workplace: resolve issues promptly, forgive, and focus on constructive ways to resolve disagreements.
As Christian healthcare professionals, we have much to learn from Jesus’ interactions with children. We won’t enter heaven based on our self-worth or achievements. Instead, the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are needy, lonely, and helpless, like children. We should approach Christ not with hands full of our abilities and accomplishments but with empty hands, ready to receive.
Jesus’ teachings remind us of the importance of adopting childlike qualities in our faith. By living in the present, accepting our blessings with humility, maintaining simple trust, and practising quick forgiveness, we can better align our lives with the values of the Kingdom of Heaven and reflect Christlike qualities in our workplaces.
