{Be Loving} A Challenge To The Child In All Of Us

Slowly and carefully I walked upstairs; I tiptoed to the left and right to avoid the parts of the stairs that made creaking noises all in order to try and be quiet and get a first-glimpse of the tree on Christmas morning. It was a sight to see – all lit up and beautiful with boxes wrapped up with precision underneath.

As kids, we approach the morning of Christmas with faith and excitement. As we grow up, the magic sometimes seems to fade, the lights don’t seem to sparkle as much, and we are surrounded by the realities of the season. This got me to to thinking – does out approach to Jesus fall under the same trap?

I didn’t grow up as a believer, but I have been around enough children who love Jesus to learn a few things about having faith like a child. They read stories from the Bible and don’t second guess the miracles but instead they are told that Jesus can heal and they start praying for their friend who scraped their knee on the playground. Their faith is simple and limitless, with full reliance on God.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. // Hebrews 11:1

A month or so ago, Joy Dawson came and spoke to the community I live with in Southern California. She said something that has stuck in my mind – “I never want to be older than 3 at the feet of Jesus.” As kids we believe in fairytales and “happily ever after” when interestingly enough, things of The Kingdom seem quite “fairytale-like” in the sense that it is beyond what this world has to offer (just think of His grace and love alone!) and Jesus offers the happiest of “ever afters” we could ever receive with Him in Heaven.

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This week, I want to challenge you to take three simple steps to go after Christ like a child. Perhaps you’re going after Him like this for the first time or maybe this is a refresher…either way He is so kind to meet us where we’re at and show His love:

1. In prayer, ask with faith and anticipation knowing He loves His children. Ask for big things and little things, for what color shirt you should buy your friend to which college you should go to. Ask for healings and salvations, for joy and for hope.

2. Take every thought captive that says, “…yeah but that’s too BLANK” when it comes to God. In my experience, the blanks are generally doubt coming in from the enemy. God can do ANYTHING. If your mind tries to limit Him, take those thoughts captive and lay them at His feet. God doesn’t fit in the boxes we build, He is LIMITLESS.

3. Recognize areas of your life where you need to have an upgrade to having a child-like approach. Maybe it’s in your time with The Lord – have you felt distant or stuck in your head trying to pray just the “right way”? Well great news, not only does Holy Spirit help us pray, He loves to hear us. Don’t be afraid because your Heavenly Father loves you and calls you by name. YES you! // Maybe it’s in your everyday – have you been filled with doubt over how God works though you? Next time you go out to the grocery store or mall, ask The Lord to highlight people to pray for or to talk to. Ask Him what He thinks about them and boldly in faith, share it with them. He will use you in your weakness (I know how scary this can be, but remember – faith like a child. You’ll hardly find a 5-year old afraid to go up to someone in the store and tell them they’re awesome!).

Just as a child on Christmas we can approach The Lord with the same fervency, anticipation, and joy. He is ready and wants to work though us. Children have so little fear or apprehension and believe without limits. They are wild and joyful and understand the simplicity of Jesus coming to save them.

What if we were the same way?

[Great news: WE CAN BE!]

Ask Jesus to have faith like a child and for more dependence on Him. Ask Him to help your thoughts be pure and focused on Him. Ask Him to show you areas of your life where you could use some bold faith. He loves us so much and His love changes everything. It’s okay to be a child in front of The Lord. It’s okay to not have it all figured out. Rely on Him and let Him guide you.

Our first steps as a child were quite wobbly and we most definitely fell down but we always got back up. As you take these new steps of faith don’t be afraid to fall –
He’s got you.

Faith does not make things easy, it makes them possible.