I recently went away for the weekend on a leadership retreat with University Christian Fellowship (Chi Alpha). Our trip was short, yet it was filled with valuable conversations that built bonds of friendship and trust. We spent most of our time planning, preparing and praying for all the new students at the University of Washington.
One Bible passage that impacted me from the weekend was from Luke 10:1-23:
“At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.” (v. 21)
As I read this passage, I was specifically drawn to the mention of “little children”. There are multiple places in the Bible where Jesus tells his followers to have faith like a child. In one scene, the disciples try to get rid of the little children, who they assumed would bother Jesus. Instead, he berates them and says, “‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,’” (Matt. 19:13-15).
I have read and heard about Jesus’ command to have childlike faith many times as a believer. I assumed that it meant that you embraced the truths of Christianity openly, without any sort of questioning. Until recently, I have not been compelled to ask many challenging questions about my faith. This weekend, I discovered that childlike faith does not mean having blind belief.
After working with young children this summer, I was reminded of the many unique attributes of children. I will discuss how each one exemplifies the nature of children and how these principles can be applied to a life of faith.
- Children ask questions
Especially as toddlers, children ask a lot of questions. They are unafraid to ask about anything and everything because they have yet to develop an understanding of social norms. There is no sense of embarrassment or shame, since for children there is no such thing as a “dumb question”.
- Children use simple words
In asking and responding to questions, children speak in simple words. As they expand their vocabulary, they find they gain favor and specific types of attention by using certain words. They explore ways in which they can gain a sense of agency or control over their circumstances by using certain words.
- Children are honest and direct
Children tells us exactly what they think and feel, regardless of social norms and emotions. These expressions of honesty can warm our hearts just as easily as it can break them. With children, we learn to expect the unexpected in their words and actions.
- Children have a desire to please those they love
In their words and actions, children are clearly driven to earn the favor of people that they love. They can perceive the emotional reactions of their parents and respond accordingly. Of course, children often say and do things that make their parents very unhappy. Yet they have tasted the sweetness of their love and praise, making them willing to experience even more.
- Children keep no record of wrongs
At a very young age, young children have no concept of holding grudges. Their short attention spans prevent them from remembering what actions people have taken against them for more than a few minutes after they have occurred. As children get older, they quickly learn to remember who has treated them wrong and are willing to repay pain with pain. They become more perceptive and begin to separate friends from enemies.
- Children do not restrain their emotions
As we grow older, society trains us to have control over our emotions. This makes sense for the purposes of creating a functional society where people can get along with one another. However, as adults we tend to restrain our emotions too much. We often fail to express our true feelings to people we love as well as the people who hurt us. In contrast, children express their emotions in a range of vivid color. They will fling their arms around a favorite family member, shout in anger or bawl with tears. When you’re with a child, you never have to guess what they are really feeling.
When Jesus commands his followers to have faith like little children, he tells them that “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” For those who believe in Jesus, one of the key elements of living for eternity is captured in this image of a child. To have faith like a child means much more than accepting faith without asking questions.
In fact, having childlike faith means asking lots of questions without embarrassment or shame. It relates to breaking down scripture into words that you can understand. Pray in simple words with an honest heart; avoid getting bogged down with showy language. We are called to be honest and direct in our interactions with God and His word.
Above all, we must cultivate a strong desire to experience God’s love. I believe that our salvation and favor with God has already been earned through Jesus’ death on the cross. However, we must live in such a way that we continually seek God’s love and favor through our actions.
To live like Jesus, we must keep no record of those who do us harm. We must avoid repaying evil with evil, instead choosing to respond with love and forgiveness. Holding grudges is exhausting and prevents us from loving God and others with all that we are.
Finally, we must learn to become unstrained in our expressions of emotion, especially towards God. We are called to view him as our Father, as someone who loves his children and would give anything to see them succeed. He is proud of us when we obey his commands and do good works. When we turn away from God and start to struggle, he is faithful to remain by our side. When Jesus calls us to a childlike faith, he expresses his desire to experience our honest questions, simple prayers and unrestrained emotions. His heart is filled with joy when we run to him, fling our arms around his legs and sincerely express our love and adoration for his willingness to make an immeasurable sacrifice.
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Rom. 8:15-17)
Walking with Wisdom 