Adults often see childhood as a time of innocence, one in which lost perfection exudes from those small lives. They would grab it again, if possible.
However, in a child’s eyes, that pivotal time of life is somewhat less than perfect. They can’t look at their existence through the jaded viewpoint of adulthood, and try to regain selected memories of a time when all doors were paths of possibilities open to walk through.
The reality of childhood is that children can be cruel.
They haven’t yet learned the opposite side of the barb, the pain that comes in a sharp word, or in the lasting scars of hatred and prejudice.
When pushed beyond despair, children have a taunt they sometimes throw at one another.
“I’m rubber and you’re glue. What you say bounces off me and sticks on you.”
They are wise beyond their years. This statement is much more than a simple childhood taunt. In reality, it is a scientific fact.
Isaac Newton was born in 1643 and died in 1727. During his brilliant lifetime, he came up with three laws of motion that we still recognize as truth today. The third of these is that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Reciprocal reaction. Tit for tat. Live and let live. Do unto others. I’m rubber and you’re glue.
These are childhood concepts for fair play that have proved themselves to be scientific fact.
Isaac Newton was a smart man all those centuries ago.
Jesus was smarter.
Two thousand years ago, in 1 John 4:10, the author gave us God’s version of rubber and glue.
“Here is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be a sacrifice for our sins.”
God throws his love at us, and he expects it to return to him. Reciprocal reaction. Tit for tat. Rubber and glue.
Here is another way to say it:
“I’ll give away what I want back from you.”
Yes, that’s the message of the Bible. God sends us his love, and all he wants is our hearts. Our love. We’re rubber, and he’s glue. The love he gives us, he wants us to return to him, sticking to him like glue.
Rubber and glue works on our side, too. We send God our love, and it becomes more than we gave away, returning filled with God’s blessings and guidance; and overlaid with his safekeeping and peace.
Rubber and glue.
When we come to God as little children, our worship opens the windows of heaven, and he will pour out his love on us.
Copyright © 2014 MyChurchNotes.net
Originally Published 5-08-14 in Discipleship