Luke 8:15-17
People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
One of Timothy’s first books was called Inside Noah’s Ark* by Charles Reasoner. My mom bought this “board book” for him, and it didn’t take long for Timothy to learn the rhyming phrases on each page. “Load the animals, two by two – here on Noah’s floating zoo”, the first lines say…and we “loaded” the ark countless times. I read other “God books” to Timothy…simple prayers for children, Bible stories, and a particularly special book that explored the question, “Where is God?”
I have always marveled at Timothy’s acceptance of God. He has asked a few insightful questions about why we cannot see God…and where is He, really?...but he readily accepts that God is everywhere – that He lives in our hearts and is with us at all times. I believe he truly loves God as much as any five-year-old can. He is learning about the importance of living in a way that pleases God…and it appears to be important to him to do this. We’ve read stories about Jonah and others who did not obey God and suffered the consequences. I feel like Timothy and his siblings are developing a very good grasp of just how much God loves them…and they are developing a desire to honor and obey Him.
The question seems to be…when do we lose this innocence and purity of heart? At what age/life stage do we start to really question God’s authenticity…and His presence? More importantly, WHY do we do this? There are dozens of answers, ranging from the development of an intellect that causes us to question everything to peer pressure to a heightened sense of ego and self-sufficiency that can often lead to rebellion…or some catastrophic event that kicks us in the gut and leaves us feeling “punished” or abandoned by God.
Regardless of the causes, the bottom line is that we need to return to “child-like faith” and trust God more readily. It’s okay to have questions…God welcomes them, and He will provide the answers if/when we are willing to seek His guidance. It’s okay to be confident and believe in yourself – to a point. But rather than criticize or demean those who seem to rely on God and follow His lead with something akin to “wild abandon,” we would do well to “let go and let God” a little more and adapt their approach.
Sometimes, reverting to your childhood can be a good thing…and when it comes to your faith in God and the attitudes of your heart, it’s most definitely good to be a kid again. Are you ready to trust God with the simplicity of a child? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
*http://www.amazon.com/dp/0843148853/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=ICIIN9FURNLT&coliid=I1AX4856YA4WRD
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