Faith is…Being Childlike
FAITH Part 3
‘Unless you become like a child you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven’ Matthew 18:3
Years ago, Steve and I were on a beach in Cornwall, watching children playing. Little legs running to and from the water’s edge, filling buckets, building sandcastles. I heard God say to me, ‘That’s how I want you to live’.
And I remembered the verse in Matthew when Jesus says to His disciples, ‘whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 18:4 )
The penny dropped. I am only a little child. God wants me to live like a child! The more I thought about it, the more understanding I gained - you see, those small children on the beach that day were living in the moment, not wondering whether mum had remembered the picnic for later, had she packed the towels? They weren't worried about the future, about starting school in September - would their teacher be nice, would they make friends? What would it be like? Would they be able to manage?
Those small children had no worries, no responsibilities, no concerns. As I absorbed this little scene, I recognised that yes, God says He is my Heavenly Father - and He being my Father is not just a concept, a lovely idea or an intellectual exercise. He IS my father, and we really are His sons and daughters and that actually looks like something, on a day-by-day basis.
According to the apostle Paul, you and I are adopted children. We have received a totally new identity, a new life as God’s sons and daughters. We are not slaves or students, or employees, or patients. We are not even followers or Christians - we are sons and daughters of the best father that there has ever been and ever will be.
A childlike quality is needed for us to relate to God as Abba Father. Coming to God requires humility - pride and humility cannot co-exist. A small child is humble, forgiving quickly and easily. Children admit defeat, they ask for help, and there is no shame for a child in not knowing. They trust easily and are receptive and teachable. Small children live easily and comfortably with mystery - small children are emotionally open and there is no pretense - if they’re angry, then they’re angry - if happy, they’re happy. A four or five-year-old is not wary, cynical or easily offended.
God says that we are His children. In reality, we have to remember that we are only very small, and that is good - small and dependent on God is good.
Our grandson Max is five. He really has no cares in the world. He expects to be provided for, to be protected. In his opinion, his mum and dad are able to do anything, anywhere and at any time. They are without limits in knowledge, ability, understanding and skill. They can fix everything, they know the answer to every question.
Max’s mum and dad are for him, aged five, all he needs. They are enough. They are his world. His little sweet adorable life revolves around them entirely. He does not question their decisions, he believes what they tell him and his trust in them is complete. Their presence makes him feel safe - if they are near him, or watching him, he’ll try things he’s never done before, in the playground, on his bike. Their presence makes him brave. Max trusts his parents 100%.
I truly believe that this is how God wants us to live. I also believe that it is possible to live like this, but only if we are childlike in our approach to God and it doesn’t happen by osmosis - we have to be intentional and choose the posture of a child. It is interesting that Jesus refers to His disciples as children. In John 13:33, “My children, I will be with you only a little longer”. They aren’t in fact children - they are grown men and women - capable and strong.
If God is my Father, He is responsible for providing for me, for protecting me. He alone can keep me safe, only He can bind up my wounds, and meet all my needs. I CANNOT do it. I’m not meant to be able to.
A Prayer for Childlike Faith
Father God, I need your help to live like a child, dependent on you. It goes against the grain, and means that I must relinquish control. I confess that I don't really trust you completely, but I know that I want to. Please show me that you are always faithful to me and that you will keep your promises to care for me and keep me, as a parent with a child. Show me, even this week, how I might be more childlike in my approach to you. In Jesus’ name, I ask these things. Amen.