Let’s go back in time to our teenage years. This was such a sweet spot of growth that I bet none of us acknowledged until we were grown. During these years we had one foot in childhood and one in young adulthood. We explored our independence safely under the wings of our families.
Do you remember your parents encouraging you to be more mature and to embrace the adulthood that was just around the corner? I remember it vividly and wanted so badly to be grown and independent.
Within these teen years kids blossom into young adults ready to drive and get jobs. Then they are launched into the world with a million different demands on their time and attention. The bills start to accumulate, workloads increase, and the carefree days of childhood are long gone.
The fantasy of a worry-free adult life is shattered, and the weight of maturity and responsibility becomes a constant companion. The saddest part of all is the lack of wonder and expectant faith as little humans mature. Womp womp.
In the Bible, we are told to not grow up too much. Sure, we need to learn to be independent, pay taxes, and do our best to stay out of jail; however, we are instructed to keep our faith young and be like a little kid.
Jesus talked about this child-like faith in Matthew 18. His friends asked him “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (verse 1). Jesus responded by pulling a young child over to him and 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” (verses 3-4).
Children are hard-wired for imaginative play and are up for infinite adventures. For example, it is totally likely to children that a fat man in a red suit brings them presents by coming down the chimney, a bunny brings them candy, and a fairy swaps their teeth for money. Children rarely contemplate the feasibility of these things; they believe because they want to believe. They have faith in what they cannot see.
As we mature and get into the daily grind of life, our child-like faith can easily change into a jaded outlook on the world and our hope can be lost. We lose our ability to believe because we want to believe. We need data, facts, proof, and a guarantee. We lose our faith.
What this portion of scripture is telling us to stay young in our faith. We do this by remembering the wonder of hearing about Noah and his ark for the first time, imagining the water separating for Moses and the Israelites, and relishing in the work God has done in and through us.
Maturity certainly has its place and value; however, when it comes to having faith in what we cannot see we need to rewind to our younger selves and rediscover the child-like faith that allowed us to freely see in our mind the goodness and wonder of God and Jesus.
As we approach Easter, we can practice this faith as we tell our children, grandchildren, and other little ones we love about Jesus’ sacrifice and miraculous resurrection. We can learn from their wonder, excitement, and faith and allow them to take the lead and show us how a humble heart believes in things unseen.
Praying you enter this season with a hopeful heart and a child-like faith.