Babies! Who doesn’t like a baby? They are so cute and innocent. They have no worries, really. Yes, they get hungry and want food. Or they get a messy diaper and want a change. I think most of us would love to have the innocent life a baby or young child.
Now most of us can’t remember back when we were really young. I do have a vague remembrance when I was around 2 years old. As I reflect on that time, I wasn’t worried. Of course, all of us that have children can remember how our little ones did not seem to be afraid of anything.
As I reflect on little ones it makes me think of about how Jesus said that we need to become as little children to enter into the kingdom. What exactly does that mean? I may not understand all of it but I am going to share what comes to my mind.
- A baby/child is humble. A little child recognizes that they are dependent on those that care for him/her. So they look outside of themselves for daily provisions. We need to become as little children realizing that we need to depend on God for our daily needs.
- A baby/child have a healthy appetite. Wow, do they ever! All of us as moms can remember what it was like to nurse our babies and try to keep up with their ravaging appetite. And we know as parents that as the child is developing we need to be careful what we feed them. We want them to develop an appetite that wants healthy foods. In turn in our spiritual lives, we need to be developing the right kind of appetite. We need to have an appetite for the “sincere milk of the Word, that we may grow”. (1 Peter 2:2). We need to be sure we take in the Word that is unadulterated with the world’s philosophies.
- A baby/child is teachable. We know how children like to learn. They start learning movements, like crawling and then walking. They may fall over or fall down but they don’t give up, they are very anxious to walk. So they keep trying again and again. Then they learn to talk. They want so eagerly to learn that they are constantly asking questions. We need to be teachable. As we study God’s Word we should be asking God specific questions just as a child would. And He will show us the answers.
- A baby/child is very dependent on the ones caring for them. A baby or child will cling to the one that cares for them when there is any trouble. They may be afraid of something or even if they have fallen and gotten hurt they cling to their parents or someone they trust. They feel safe with the one they trust no matter what the problem is. In turn, as we recognize our needs we should be motivated to abide in Christ. We should be clinging to Him in all our difficulties. We should cling to His promises. This should bring us a peace that passeth all understanding.
- A baby/child wants to be with their parents. One thing that I noticed when my children were little, it didn’t matter where I was they wanted to be with me. They were always underfoot and that was frustrating to me at times. But they were at peace as long as they were with me. They also would know what was pleasing to me and what was disappointing to me. They would always try their best to please me. If they did do something that displeased me they were quick to say I am sorry, when they could talk, but when they couldn’t they had their way of making up, because they did not want the relationship to be broken. To enjoy our fellowship with Christ we should not allow anything to come between us. We should not allow our relationship with Him to be broken by unconfessed sin. When we know we have done wrong we should immediately admit our wrongs and ask God to forgive us.
Dear Father,
Forgive me for not staying connected with You as I should. Forgive all my wrongs. Lord, Come and fellowship with me today. I want that unbroken fellowship. Convict my heart of those things that come between You and me. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
It is never too late to become as little children. Start today. And if you fall, just like a child learning to walk, immediately get up and keep going.
Love you all.
What are your thoughts about becoming like a child? How has having the faith of a child been a blessing in your life? I would love to hear your comments.