Become As Children
We can learn a lot from little children. They display the attributes of faith, worship, humility, and freedom God desires all of us to demonstrate. Small children also have a great desire to please and seek approval from their parents. Anyone can remember that as a child, you came home from school with your first finger painting and your parents were so happy they placed it on the refrigerator. Or, as parents, you can certainly recall how proud you were when your child had come home from school with something they'd made or a good report. These illustrations are examples of how God wants us to behave toward Him, and also of how He is proud and pleased when we seek to please Him.
The humility and freedom of small children is extraordinary. They dance and sing without the slightest concern of how ridiculous they look or how their voices sound; they demonstrate seemingly fearless behavior and great faith when obeying their parents. I'm sure everyone can attest to ever witnessing this event. At the swimming pool, Dad is in the water and his little darling is standing on the edge about to jump in. Dad is coaxing him with his arms extended, telling the child he will catch him when he jumps. Sometimes it takes longer than others, but eventually the child conquers whatever fear he has and leaps into the water and into the safety of his father's arms. When God beckons us to take a leap of faith, do we act as children and jump in, or do we stay on dry land?
Although some people may disagree, but most small children (ones aged 1-3) are perfect examples of selfless behavior. They gladly give and share with others--not knowing why. They have no issues with people of other races, sizes, colors, and genders. Children are simply children and by nature, they desire to interact with each other. There is an example in the Bible where a child demonstrates godly love and selflessness. In John 6: 9, a great multitude had followed Jesus up into a mountain after witnessing the miracles He had performed. When the Lord looked at all the people, He asked His disciples how they would feed all the people. My guess is that when the disciples realized they didn't have enough money to buy all the people bread, they went through the crowd asking if anyone could contribute. Out of the 5,000 people, only one person--a small boy--was the only one to give, offering five loaves of bread and two fish. Do you honestly believe that no one else had brought food with them? I bet there were many who had food, but only one, a small child, denied his own needs to share with others. His small act of giving led to one of the greatest miracles the Lord ever performed.
Boldness is also a characteristic of small children. They usually are not afraid to come to their parents when they want something. What's remarkable is their boldness in asking for seemingly impossible things. This boldness isn't demonstrated as a selfish demand, but as an act of great faith on the part of the child. From birth to this point, their parents have provided everything they have needed, and they are accustomed to their parents being able to provide anything they ask. This is strikingly similar to what Jesus teaches us in the Bible: Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. [John 16: 23] God has no limitations in giving to His children who are willing to operate in the faith to receive it. Jesus said, Ask and you shall receive. The problem for many Christians is that they either feel unworthy to receive from God, or they ask with selfish motives. None of us are worthy in and of ourselves, but Jesus has made us worthy through His blood shed on the cross. Jesus illustrates how it makes God feel to give to His children, It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [Luke 12: 32]
God's desire for us is to behave as children toward Him. As children when we needed something, we always thought to come to our parents first. The same is true with God. He wants us to come to Him with all of our needs, and He promises to be faithful to His word, if one is willing to walk in the faith to receive it.
Let us be as children, immature when it comes to the Lord--not in doctrine or knowledge, but in humility and boldness to forsake pleasing man and focus on pleasing God. Watch how children play, sing, dance, and demonstrate the freedom and humility the Lord has given us, and act accordingly. And remember the words of our Lord, Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven. The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus has given us the freedom to worship and come boldly to You with our prayers. Lord, please open my eyes to the freedom and humility of children so that I may walk in the faith of a child, and that I will constantly seek to please You as only a child would. In Jesus' name. Amen.
