Becoming Like Little Ones
In Mark 10:14 Jesus says:
But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant (annoyed) and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
We see other sayings from Jesus like this, about the importance of having a child-like attitude when it comes to how we relate to God and His kingdom. So here is the question for you, are you childlike with God? Are you? Don't just read over that and continue; pause and think! You might say, “Oh, but I am an adult! I have mortgage, responsibilities, and the pain of life weighs on me. How can I be childlike?” We must ask the question, which part of us should be childlike? C.S. Lewis says that we are to be childlike in heart, but grown-ups with our minds. So using your mind, why is it so important that we be childlike-- and what does it look like? Here are a couple of reflections:
Childlike is trusting.
Sure, kids are foolish at times and they do not always listen as they ought. But for the most part, they are quite trusting of their parents. For they (the child) have a limited view on the world. They don't understand why they can't play in the street, but trust that Mom is right. They don't understand why they can't help take things out of the oven, but trust that Dad is wise. Now, we know that they are not always trusting. That is why we get in trouble for playing in the street or being too close to a hot oven. But the principle is true, especially for us, as we have our grownup minds. Do you not see that you are a child (even if you feel quite wise) compared to God? So when He says things like: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." - Do you believe that He actually knows what is best for you? That He isn't just out to get you or ruin your fun, but He is wise. He knows playing too close to the road will hurt you. Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean He isn't watching out for you with His rules and admonitions. Do you trust like a child?
Childlike is believing.
Let's pretend that there are no scarred children in the world. That there is no abuse or no deception from a parent to a child, as it should be. Are children not believing? When a child is in their bed, late at night, and they call to their mom or dad. Do they not run upstairs, kneel down beside the bed, and gently say: "What's wrong sweet one?" - "Mommy, I'm scared. It's lightning outside" - "It's ok my son, you are safe with me." Believing. Do you, like a child, believe what God says to you? That you are forgiven? That He loves you? That He is faithful to forgive you (1st John) - That He delights to be with you? Or at every turn do you doubt His true intentions? I understand our propensity to do this, because our own parents did not always treat us with such gentleness. (Nor do we treat others this way, always) - but did Jesus not say: "What father among you, if his son asks for[d] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”" Do you believe your perfect father?
Childlike is joyful.
When the children came to Jesus, do you think Jesus kept a smug look on His face? Or do you think He made them giggle and drew in the sand with them? Christian, I understand the weights of sin and the burdens of this life can weigh us down. But could you believe that your relationship with God, with all it's fear, reverence, and holiness, could be joyful? Even more, that is should be! When a parent takes their child on a walk, does the child not look to the flowers and say: "Dad, look!" Or when a dog passes, "Mom, a doggy! " - When you walk through your day, what would it look like for you to talk to God like this? To simultaneously have a joyful nature in your relationship to God, while at the same time not distancing yourself from the realities of His Lordship over you. He is both Lord and Father. King and Gracious.
I believe if we grow in the quality of being childlike, it would help us. We are not our own. We do not know what is best for us. But HE does. Let us trust at every turn, even when it goes against our fleshly desires. let us Believe that what He says is real and true. That he does love us and will keep us. And let us allow a bit of joy to return to our relationship with God. Go on a walk and talk to Him about His creation. Watch a TV show and talk to Him about what you see. Tell God what you enjoy while you drive, return to that childlike relationship with Him, in heart. And train your mind to be wise and intelligent. And as we do so, we may just find that we grow in our affection for the Lord. And His love and relationship become sweeter. Sweeter than any sin or temptation that buy for our attention.
Becoming childlike with you,
Josh.
