One of my daily emails brings me fresh thoughts. Not that I’m stale, but there are many times I need a fresh look at an old subject. Today, a quick thought about the Faith of a Child.
Four verses uniquely challenge the reader to distinguish between his teachings about Divorce and the story of the Rich Young Ruler.
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them;
but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them,
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them;
for of such is the kingdom of God.
Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God
as a little child will by no means enter it.”
And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
Mark 10:13-16 NKJV
Life is complex, and the older we get, our tendency to forget what it was like to be a child or parent becomes a stumbling block. To what? What was it like the first time we became aware of Jesus and the expressed faith we had to do what children seemingly do with ease?
Trust.
I understand this because we have so many children at church.
I’m Pastor, but I’m also the one who teaches, preaches, prays, meets and greets, unlocks, and locks the building, ensuring everything is ready for the service. I straighten the rows, pick up the forgotten trash, check the restrooms, put out the road sign, and I even work the computers in the sound booth.
In others words, I’m all over the place with my fingers into everything.
I don’t get time to sit with the children. I don’t have the time to get to know them in my busy world. Nor do they have time to learn all about me. Some children are naturals. They accept me into their tiny world. High Five’s, Thumb Wrestling, oohing and aahing over their awards and pretty outfits. Much of their view of me comes from how I connect with their parents.
As the adults do, so goes the path of the children. Most of the time.
Every so often, there are shy children. It takes a while for them to trust me. They bury their faces in their parent’s shoulders, and after a little coaxing, I can tease out a High Five. Over a few weeks, I pray, that they trust me enough to smile my way. There are still a few kids who take a lot of time before they can not be shy around me. Yes. Even me.
The Definition of Faith
Even though the study of the word “faith” is bound to the original language of scriptures, the idea of Faith is “credence or persuasion.” Have you heard someone say, “Jump! I’ll catch you!” Were you persuaded? Did you give credence to the words?
In other words, did you Trust the words of the speaker?
The thought behind the words and the power of their fulfillment? Can you Trust the Words? Do you Trust the Speaker? Put them together. Jump. You have faith.
This fresh look at faith this morning includes a stranger’s writing and his reference to the scripture where Jesus says, “…do not forbid them.” Let the children come. If you want to enter the Kingdom of God, you must become a little child. Can you trust Jesus?
With our conflicted world and the weight of life resting on our shoulders, can we become like a little child and trust Jesus?
This morning, the words I read are this, which convicts us all. Can we trust Jesus?:
Jesus loves me.
Jesus tells the truth.
Jesus will do the right thing.
Jesus will keep His promises.
Teach Faith by Your Example and Words
Upon a life I did not live,
upon a death I did not die;
another’s life, another’s death,
I stake my whole eternity.
~Horatius Bonar
A story shared with me last week reminds me of my thought.
A daughter raised in the House of God was eventually drawn from her roots by her choices. There came a time, with a child in tow, that she returned home. On Sunday morning, the grandmother says, “I’m going to church! Who’s going with me?” Her daughter and grandson attended, which was a God-Moved-In kind of service. The little boy began worshipping and joined the service with enthusiasm. Midway through, he paused and looked at his mom,
“Momma! Why haven’t you ever told me about this? Momma?”
Here’s the reality of Faith. You teach it, generation by generation, by your example, and with your words. Never let it be said at some future time in life, your child turns to you and says, “Momma? Why did you never tell me?”