Thursday, October 15, 2020

Childlike Faith

 “Unless you receive the Kingdom of God like a child, you’ll never enter it.” ~ Luke 18:17

Having helped lead her church’s Youth Group, Morgan had heard this story of Jesus used many times to inspire Christians into living a life grounded in ‘childlike faith’.  She always thought it was a sweet story, but never really grasped the concept … until a child of her own entered their lives.

Now as she watched Emma cuddle their Maltese-mix, Morgan suddenly realized that faith is actually very simple; adults are the ones who make it complicated.  Not God!

Her 1-year old is into everything.  She explores her world with youthful enthusiasm, pulling toys off the shelf and crawling down the hall; giggling in a way that could make fires burn warmer.


She’s so curious about how things work, pushing all the buttons on electronic toys.  New things don’t frighten her.

Even though she wasn’t walking yet, that doesn’t stop her from getting where she wants to go.  If she falls, she gets right back up and tries again. Put things up high and Emma will try to find a way to reach the object of her fascination.

Her eyes shine like pebbles washed by ocean waves; her smile radiates joy in all with whom she interacts.  She doesn't care what the time it is unless she's hungry.  Then in her highchair, she bounces as if dancing to music for her ears only.

Everything tickles her as funny.  Observing that happy child, the Bible verse made perfect sense.

Preoccupied with life’s enormity, we adults create arbitrary boundaries that limit our success and avoid investing ourselves fully in our faith.  Kids ask a bazillion questions: about the weather, about puppies, and where the sun goes at night.  Such youthful zeal is the key to a true connection to Jesus.

“So,” Morgan wondered, “if God wants us to have faith like Emma, it must be OK to ask questions.  It’s OK to doubt Him sometimes; our prayers should reflect the questions on our hearts.  Just like a child, we can ask God when His kingdom will come on earth, when the cancer will heal, or when will she ever stop feeling so lonely.  We should use our imagination to wonder about God.

Which brought to mind another thought.  Kids aren’t afraid to love what they love, and they do so with such gusto and veracity.  If we treated each other with even half as much love as infants do, then the world would be a significantly better place.  

They model the childlike faith that Jesus invites us into, and inspires with an unwavering trust in the world’s goodness.  Childlike faith is as simple as stretching out our gooey, clumsy, human fingers and grabbing the outstretched hand of Jesus.  Its always there.

Dear Lord.  Help us to let down our guard and let You more fully into our lives.  Help us to overcome the obstacles we place in our own path and seek You with our whole heart. Amen.