What is Childlike Faith?
This is one of my favorite pictures of Brayden Agogo. He was born in Africa and lived in an orphanage until he was adopted by wonderful people here in Alabama. He is always smiling and has the best attitude toward life. He is simply happy to be here, and he loves Jesus!
I pray that he continues with this sweet attitude for his entire life. Most of us start life with a loving, naïve outlook on each new day, but the innocence of childhood does not usually carry us as we become adults.
What happens to us?
Adulting consumes us, and we become jaded by the ugliness and pressures of the world, which can diminish these necessary qualities.
We become more concerned with what we can accomplish, how successful our life looks to others and whether long-term goals are being fulfilled.
Children do not concern themselves with these cumbersome attitudes that will drain them of their energy and exuberance for life.
Jesus used children as an object lesson to His Disciples on two unique occasions.
Matthew 18:2-4:
“He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Just before this, James, and John, two of the Disciples, had been arguing about who would be sitting on the right and left of Jesus when He came into His earthly Kingdom. They were being self-centered and prideful, and totally consumed by their future status.
On another occasion, Jesus became appalled by the actions of His Disciples and commanded them in this way.
Luke 18:16:
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Jesus saw that the Disciples were rebuking the mothers for bringing their children to Him for a blessing. He was quick to use these events with children to give needed instruction to all within His sphere of influence.
Jesus never said the words “childlike faith” but instead spoke of taking on the attributes of little children to enter the Kingdom of God.
Becoming like a little child is humbly taking on their unconcerned nature of status and not living for prestige, promotions, or glory. “Success” is not even in the vocabulary of a child!
Jesus brought children forward on both occasions and began explaining to the disciples that unless you become like a child, you can never fully experience all the blessings He has for you.
Having faith like a child requires putting aside our will. This way, our opinions, and misconceptions do not get in the way of trusting Christ wholeheartedly. We must admit that we do not always know what is best and humble ourselves, which can be a challenge.
Jesus is telling us that to experience Him fully and do the good works He has planned for us, we need to have the pure and beautiful characteristics of little children.
So, what are these childlike qualities that Jesus was speaking of?
- Humble submission and tenderness of heart?
- Total trust in those over them?
- Creativity and imagination?
- Boundless energy and excitement?
- Endless questioning?
- A willingness to always learn?
- Wonder and awe of all creation?
- Playfulness, humor, and simple joy?
All these define children, but these characteristics tend to diminish in us as adults. The sin and brokenness we encounter in this life tend to beat them out of us.
Growing into adults takes the childlike faith and wonder out of our lives. We become fearful and anxious about everything, we get stuck in ruts, and we let busyness rob us of our spiritual time to learn and grow.
As adults, we hold grudges, harbor anger, and let all the cynicism of the world steal our joy.
We allow our circumstances to dictate how well our soul is surviving and thus see only the pain and heartache of this life. We try to go it alone or turn to activities or unhealthy habits instead of just placing our total dependence on Jesus.
These are characteristics of a childish life, and scripture warns us of not acting in childish ways.
1 Corinthians 13:11 tells us:
” When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”
Childish and childlike are similar words with vastly different meanings. The former encapsulates all the worst things about children – petulance, immaturity, obnoxiousness, and selfishness. It is opposing to faith. The latter, though, describes all the beautiful things about children – trust, joy, innocence, curiosity, wonder, forgiveness, and so much more. This word, childlike, is the flavor our faith in God ought to have.
In the adult world, life is complex, and we work on becoming mature in our attitudes and thinking, our relationships, and our behaviors. But as Jesus points out in these scriptures, children are the model for mature faith.
While it seems like being mature and being childlike are contradictory, the two should come together as one. The more mature we are in our understanding of God, the more we will rely on Him only. Childlike faith turns our eyes to Almighty God. It helps us trust Him no matter what and finds rest in any of our life’s circumstances.
Jesus says the key is becoming like a little child. He wants us to be humble, accepting, open, and as teachable as a child.
Today, if you find yourself struggling with doubts, skepticism, and cynicism about God’s place in your life, it is time for a change. It is time to recapture the childlike wonder of faith and trust. And as Jesus reminds us, it is the mature thing to do. Do we respond to circumstances with trusting hearts and an eagerness to learn while relying on Christ to sustain us? Are we naturally full of faith while being bold?
C.S. Lewis once said, “Christ wants a child’s heart, but a grown-up’s head.” Simply put, we must love Christ unconditionally while continuously learning about and sharing his love with others.”
Jesus said:
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” Matthew 11:29
My Prayer
Dear Jesus, I come to you in humble submission that You are the only One that I must place my acceptance, faith, and trust.God, You see me. Whatever mess I am in, You know where I am and what I need. There is no issue I face that is too complicated for You. I want to have the child-like attitude of fully trusting You with every aspect of my life. I pray that You will help me to grow with greater passion and boldness. Holy Spirit, draw me closer to You and give me radical love for You and for others. Thank you, God, for guiding and teaching me in my walk with You.
Amen.
Rebekah Marsh
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#rebekahmarshblogs