“He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4
Have you ever heard a young child pray? Or sing a praise song? Answer a question about God? There is something so pure and uncomplicated about their interactions with God and about Him.
I have been blessed to serve in CCF’s Pre K & K Sunday School class for several years now. I love it! Not only do I have fun serving alongside some wonderful volunteers, I also enjoy interactions with the children. Their faith is so uncomplicated. They sing loudly of their love for the Lord. They recite truths that they have learned about God and His love for them. I think it is their prayers that are the most remarkable. They squeeze their hands together and close their eyes real tight and thank Him earnestly about the many blessings they have. They ask Him boldly for healing for loved ones, and ask for His help. Sometimes their sincerity bring tears to my eyes.
When does it start getting more challenging? As we grow we tend to complicate things. The simple faith is gradually replaced with doubt or indifference. Not always, but often. Our singing becomes softer, our prayers more rare. Afraid to make a mistake or embarrass ourselves, or worse, our faith in God grows cold.
I think it is natural to go through a period of wrestling with God, wondering if the truths we heard as a child (or even as an adult) are really what we believe. What do we do with God? Do we believe Him and follow Him, or do we turn and go our own way?
Jesus brings a child into the midst of the crowd and uses him/her as an example. He encourages us to be like a little child and to believe. It doesn’t have to be complicated, we really can follow Him and trust Him like a little child.
