Church Articles

                                                       Faith Of A Child

                                              Written a couple years ago

               

 This past Sunday in church was so very exciting and full of life. It was VBS Sunday and we were blessed to share a bit of what the children and adults experienced during this year’s Vacation Bible School. People of all ages stood, sang and clapped as the children danced in the aisles to the music they loved so much. It was loud, it was slightly chaotic, it was exciting, and it was a true blessing. We were witness to the enthusiasm in all it’s glory - of a child’s faith.

            

 As we read the scriptures, in particular the gospels, we notice a few things about Jesus. He did not follow cultural protocol. In those days women and children were pretty much of no importance in the man’s world. In Jesus’ world however he found great importance in both women and children. Children would flock to him, only to be warned to be silent by the adults, even the disciples. But Jesus said No - let the little children come to me.He even said that we needed to have the faith of a child. 

 Faith of a child? Really? But children haven’t studied the word - they are not knowledgeable as we adults. How can Jesus tell us that we need to have faith of a child? Pretty easily, in fact.

           

 Knowledge is a wonderful thing. Studying the word, digging into scripture so we can understand God and His will for us is imperative. Over the past year or so, I have come to learn a great deal about other religions through a dear person who God brought into my life. She has studied and learned so much and I find it very interesting. I have taken several Bible studies, as have many of you and I have accumulated a great deal of knowledge over the years. Some of which has leaked from my brain through the many cracks. I think I’ve forgotten as much as I learned. I have retained enough knowledge to be able to say, “Okay, somewhere in the Bible it says something like this,” but I haven’t a clue as to where to find these pearls of wisdom.

             

Anyway, what I have learned over these past few months, is that at times great knowledge has a way of building walls up between ourselves and God. There are so many books and so many different points of view. There are so many different religions, which  for those seeking spiritual guidance are very enticing.  Many share much of what we Christian believe - peace, love, and an all-powerful god. What’s true, what’s not true? 

 Is it all true? In our quest to learn we study more and more. Unfortunately there are times where all this study, all this knowledge brings great confusion into our lives. This confusion builds and grows and in some cases pulls us further away from God. Leaving us feeling a void in our lives.   Now please don’t get me wrong, as I said studying God’s word is very important, and the more I learn the more excited I get. Ah - there’s the word. Excited.

           

 This past Sunday in church we were blessed with a wonderful story about our very own Kelsey. Her mom told us that one day while the family was dining in a restaurant, Kelsey boldly, and quite loudly announced to all who could hear “I’m a Christian!” Wow! She was not intimidated, or embarrassed. Kelsey was purely excited. She is a Christian and she is proud of it.

  How many adults would risk embarrassment by shouting those words? I have to admit, not I. Yet, if we were to watch our favorite teams battle it out on the football field, we will surely see grownups gladly risking embarrassment supporting their teams. They will paint their faces the appropriate colors, raise up their foam finger and shout at the top of their lungs, all the time hoping that the camera man will notice them.

           

  Sadly, in most cases, as the children grow up and become adults, their pure, untainted faith becomes tarnished. Life, education and peer pressure can unfortunately over time--drip by drip--squelch the flame of a child’s faith. The excitement is now being replaced with questions, doubts and at times disbelief. We adults seek answers where once there lived no questions.

  We seek proof that God exists. We search. We become disillusioned or angry by what we see in life. We seek more and study more. We acquire more knowledge. All in hopes of rekindling what we once knew with all our hearts as a child. That God loves us. Often only be becoming more and more confused. A wall slowly builds, brick by brick between God and us.

            

 We can’t turn back the hands of time and become physically children again. I do believe however, that we can rekindle our child like faith. Jesus didn’t say that only the children could come to Him. He didn’t say that only children have faith. He did tell us however, that we need to have the faith of a child. Pure. Excited. Uninhibited. I believe the God is my Father and I am His child. I believe that Jesus is my Lord, my Savior, my best friend and my brother. All this brings me great excitement. My heart seems to soar when I think of the love that God has for me. There are times I do want to jump and shout as a child…but I am one of those adults.

  This past Sunday in church we witnessed the pure, excited faith of a child. Some may have thought that it was too loud and chaotic while others were clapping their hands right along with the children. Our sanctuary was rocking, and it was being led by children. How fantastic is that? I believe that Jesus our Lord and Savior was right there in the middle of all those kids laughing and stomping His feet right along with them. So cool!

           

 

  I pray that our kids never lose their childlike faith and wonder. I pray that they never be embarrassed to shout out their love for the Lord. I pray that we adults may heed the words of Christ and come to Him as a child.

          

  Life is short. Life is precious. Life is a gift. Let us lift our hands, stomp our feet and praise the Lord, with all the faith of a child.

I am a Christian!