Come As a Child

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” ~ Matthew 19:14 (NLT)

Did you ever wonder why Jesus made a point of inviting children to come to Him while he was busy teaching a group of adults?  In fact, he went beyond a simple invitation.  He pointed out, to those who were trying to hold the children back, that the Kingdom of God was meant for anyone who was like those children.

Am I not supposed to be a mature follower of Christ who is serious about my discipleship?  Is Scripture telling me to be like a child when I come to Jesus?  Maybe God wants me to do both—to be a grown-up disciple without letting go of my best child-like qualities.

If I were to follow Jesus with a child-like faith, I wouldn’t get caught up with busyness or worry.  I wouldn’t feel the need to understand everything before I could believe.  I wouldn’t need to have my journey completely figured out.  And I wouldn’t waste time comparing myself to others and feeling like I don’t measure up.  I would be able to believe what the Bible tells me and then take a giant leap of faith, trusting that Jesus would be waiting with open arms.

If I were to look at the world around me through the lens of child-like wonder, I would see creation as the amazing handiwork of God that it is.  I would be astonished by the beauty of the trees and flowers; fascinated by the birds, mammals, and fish; and mesmerized by the spectrum of color visible throughout nature.  I would take time to watch a fluttering butterfly.  I’d pick a weed and call it a flower.  I’d want to dance in the rain and play in the sunshine.   I would be awestruck and filled with delight in God’s creation.

If I were to face each day with the excitement of a child-like spirit, I would eagerly jump out of bed, ready for whatever adventure awaited me.  I would choose fun clothes and not worry what others would think.  I’d consider playtime an important activity and find joy in each new thing I learned.  I would say grace and bedtime prayers, trusting that someone really was listening to every word.  And I would sleep with the assurance that I was watched over and loved.

Yes, I need to be a grown-up, and I need to be serious about my walk with Christ.  But, I should never be so much of an adult that I forget to come to Jesus with the open-hearted faith, wonder, and spirit of a child.

What do you think?  Do you sometimes let grown-up things get in the way of your faith?

Blessings!

The end of childhood is when things cease to astonish us.  When the world seems familiar, when one has got used to existence, one has become an adult.  ~Eugene Ionesco

 A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement.  It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood.  ~Rachel Carson

 Trust is letting go of needing to know all the details before you open your heart. ~Author Unknown

P.S.  Thank you for your support and encouragement.  This is my 50th post!