Note: The phrase, "Bite Sized", will mean that the post is relatively short, as opposed to one of the normal pages-long rambling post heh heh.
In
light of my 22nd birthday, I felt prompted to look what “the faith
of a child” really truly looks like. The phrase is based on verses like Luke
18:17, which says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who
will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it,”
and Matthew 18:4, “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Jon Acuff, a hilarious and also pretty wise
guy, in his book, Stuff Christians Like, says that Jesus says this
because kids get grace. Kids’ imagination and creativity make it easier to
understand grace. Unfortunately as people get older and become adults, they
lose that wonder and awe as they become, in some cases, jaded with the world.
They become fixated on how things work and how things are supposed to work as
opposed to always keeping in mind that they serve a God able to upend all of
that. I’d agree with that point, but also point back to the specific words of
Jesus in Matthew, namely his encouragement to humble yourself like this child. Now while children aren’t
necessarily naturally humble*, the image is clear. The child recognizes that he
does not have control over his life’s circumstances and runs into the arms of
his parents. If we are to have child-like faith, we must be willing to run into
the arms of our Father. The difference between child-like and childish faith is
an issue of maturity, and it addresses this issue in a rather unorthodox way.
The mature Christian runs to the Father. The childish Christian looks to
himself and his own “independence”. The mature, child-like Christian trusts in
the Lord with all her heart. The childish Christian leans unto her own
understanding. Trust the Lord for something today. Be a child.
*I’m pretty sure modern psychology backs me up on that one. Psych majors,
(aka Desiree), please back me up haha.
Although I have not yet searched for any empirical evidence, I would agree with that statement. :)
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