What is it that separates us from childhood, and child like innocence? InMatthew 18:3 Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, unless you repent and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Also in Mark 10:15 Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept the kingdom of God like a little child positively shall not enter it at all.” Again in Luke 18:17 Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child shall not in any way enter it at all.”
A child is constantly looking to their father and mother for guidence, approval, and affection. When a child asks a question to his father, he believes the answer no matter how crazy it may sound, even when it makes zero sense, even when he has heard differently, even when it seems impossible, no matter what. When the father speaks to his child, the child without a doubt believes. As children of God, how do we respond to our heavenly Fathers voice?
When you talk to a child about God, they believe God is real and are intrigued to know and understand God more. The child seems to know God is real automatically. The child does not need proof or a sign. When a child prays, he says truly the things that come to heart, without prior thought. They have no concern of what God or anyone else may think of their prayer. It is as pure as it gets. And they will pray about the simple concerns on their mind, completely freely. They come before God knowing that He is much bigger then them and highly capable to handle their request. Lowly.
The child only has to hear one time that Jesus lives in his heart, although it makes no sense to them, they know that He is there. A child gets a small glimpse of Jesus and wants to know more and more about Him, and wants to know of the things that are pleasing to Jesus because they know that His way is the right way. They get a sparkle in their eye to walk in the ways of the Lord.
There are many things us adults grow-up and loose the ability to do naturally. How many times have I heard ”if I could bottle up just a portion of my child’s energy and sell it, I would be rich”. As adults, we have tried many, many, different ways to obtain the type of energy a child has naturally. Still has never been imitated. When a child wakes up in the morning, pretty much as soon as their eyes open they are ready to concor the day. The wake up anxiously anticipating the day. They don’t lay in bed wishing for more sleep, or adding up how many hours they slept. If their eyes are open and the sun is up, they are ready to go. Usually the first place a child will go after he wakes up is to find mom or dad. A child does not begin a day needing a cup of coffee or anything to help them wake up. Jesus says we must become like little children to inheret the kingdom. If we would imitate this behavior looking first for our Father in heaven to get the plan for the day, and waiting and obeying His directions, how much more capable and effective would would we be in this world?
A child does not worry about whether he will be fed that day, or where he will sleep that night. The have no have no concern over finances, or the clothes they will wear. They just know that mom and dad will take care of their needs. No doubt about it. They have complete and confident trust in their providers. As should we have with our Provider. Trust
When a child is playing with another child who is not very nice to them, day after day they will continue to still play with them. Not that they like to be treated bad, but they hope each day that the mean kid will change. They hope that if they continue to show kindness, it will trickle onto the other child. The hope to be able to have fun together. And truly, they a genuinely concerned for that mean child. So as best as they can they continue to show Love.
A child has absolutely no temptation to escape through drugs, alcohol, or anything that would take them out of this natural state of mind. No matter the stress, no matter the pain, no matter anything that causes them to be afraid, the only option for a child is to deal with the feelings inside 100%. They make it through tough times quickly and move on without ever looking back. They don’t draag negative past emotions into the things that bring them joy. They are able to lay down and forget about the things they don’t enjoy and focus completely on the things they do. Forgiving.
Children are so simple. Before the world comes in and adds all these things that make you question the security you always knew was there. We need to believe without a single doubt that our Father in heaven will stay true to His promises to give us all we ever need. He Is faithful, He Is trustworthy, He Is our Father. We do not need to know how he will provide each day, or where it will come from, or why. We do not need to be discouraged by what we do or don’t see. We just need to trust without a doubt, He will not leave us abandoned. His ways are not to be questioned. When He says He will, He will, because He is the Father of all, and His word is always true. We must have the kind of faith and trust in Him as our children have in us. We must become completely dependent and rely on Him to come through, as our children do with us.
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