Steps with God

Step 1

We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction – that our lives
had become unmanageable.

Jesus Blesses the Children

¹³One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. ¹⁴When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. ¹⁵I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” ¹⁶Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

(Mark 10:13-16 – NLT)

“Let the children come to me, don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children…”

Let’s focus on what is being said here by our Lord. Begin with the simple truth that we are all God’s children, each and every one of us. Take a moment and see yourself in that way, as a child of God. Allow this thought to settle in.

Many of us in recovery may come from broken homes. Our childhood may not have been the ideal, loving and nurturing environment but rather, a chaotic reality filled with feelings of terror or powerlessness due to a family that perhaps was out of control; where we may have been neglected, abused and exposed to domestic violence or dysfunctional behavior.

The thought of “surrender” or “powerlessness” can be terrifying because of our past experiences. We may have decided never to rely on another person or be that vulnerable ever again. Allowing the barriers to come down may seem like an impossible task and for many of us, just out of the question.

But here, in this passage, Jesus is telling us that we must once again be as “children”.

The very first thing Jesus says in this verse is so profound; “Let the children come to me…” Jesus is stating; or rather, He is commanding that the children be allowed to come to Him. We are those “children”! We are His “children”! We are that same child that is once again vulnerable, weak, in need of nurturing, guidance and love; a love that can only come from Him. We need to become that child once again. Just as trusting and ready to believe. Just as a child believes.

He is commanding, “Let the children come to me!” As if ordering the demons of our past and present to release us, that we may come to Him. In that one command, He rebukes our past and shatters the chains that have held us captive in our addiction!

Jesus didn’t come to judge us but rather, to save us. He came to heal the broken. To be the light in the darkness and call us all back to the Father. He goes on to tell us in the next verse, “For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” Therein lays the key! “Those who are like these children.”

He is with us; waiting for us to become that child again and turn to him once more. We must embrace our vulnerability and our weakness. We must allow the child in us to trust again; as a child trusts. To believe, just as a child believes. All we have to do is surrender and let the child come to Him.

Amen!

 
In His Service,

Brother Gustavo Garramuno