The other morning I was spending time with God and reading the Bible. It was pretty awesome. I read Mark 10:15 which says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it,” and I got a sweet new perspective that I never really had. Even though most of us have probably heard this verse more times than we can remember, I asked God how I can receive his kingdom like a child. When I usually hear Mark 10:15 I think of the faith that Children have; but God spoke a little more than that to me this time around.
I thought about the way children focus. When a kid is really focused on something (yes, it does occasionally happen) it’s because they actually want to do what they’re doing. I want to want Jesus the way a child would. I also thought about the curiosity that children have. They embrace the world with wide-eyes, having a hunger and itching to learn how, why, and for what reason things work the way they do. I want to explore God the same way a child explores the world. I want to read the Bible like it’s uncharted territory.
Another aspect of Children that is really challenging is their dependence. They’re totally dependent on their parent(s). Obviously it changes with age, but kids have to go to their father or mother when they need something. They depend on them for food, and shelter, and clothing, and attention, and acceptance, and all of those things we need to thrive. I don’t ever want to ”mature” out of being dependent on God that way. I have to realize that I need to be dependent on him.
The last thing that I thought of that really challenged me that kids are just so good at is being persistent. I just thought of that sort of are-we-there-yet scenario that we’ve all experienced in some way. Maybe yours sounded more like this:
“Can we get a dog?”
“No.”
“Can we get a cat?”
“No.”
“Can we get a lizard?”
“No.”
Kids know what they want, and they’re persistent about getting it. A good parent will tell them ‘no’ when necessary. Why then do I feel so limited in my prayer life? I have a good Father – the best actually – so he’ll tell me ‘no’ if I need to hear it. Why not ask him?
Life is childhood,
Zachary
Awesome perspective, I dig it.
Man! It is absolutely awesome to read how you are growing in your relationship with God through various perspectives! It’s very encouraging!