Grow Up! Be a Child!

Yesterday's sermon at St. Clement's by the Rev Canon Dr Harry Robinson talked about Jesus' admonition that in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven, one must become like a child (Matt 18:3). This immediately reminded me of an article in Scientific American MIND about cognition and creativity (XVI i, 19). The latter reviewed characteristics typical of people easily led to creativity, one of which was wonderment, "a spirit of discovery, a childlike curiosity about the world". I found it interesting that the goal of creativity and the goal of eternal life both required becoming like a child, laying yourself open to vulnerability, innocence and humility--casting away the strictures and pretences of adulthood. And both ends are not run-of-the-mill. Inheriting the Kingdom and creativity are both for our benefit; not doing those things is our loss. The Rev. Robinson talked about adults as the flesh of Adam being locked into time and space, but a descendant of Adam--via water and the spirit--can grow and bear fruit. At this time of a 'new year', let us all take time to become more like a child; it can only do us good.