Kids are great! Just today, I was looking out our front door, watching my youngest boy play football with the kids across the street. The energy, the enthusiasm, the zeal, the excitement, the fun–all of these characteristics and more were evident as my eight year old played. My thirteen year-old is the same way. They are both overflowing with exuberance, thrilled at the opportunity to give expression to their inward vitality.
It is often said that we are to retain a certain type of childlikeness. Indeed, some would gladly exclaim, “I’m a kid at heart.” There is, in their view, an “inner child” in each of us. To be honest, I think they are right and that this reflects a truly biblical theme. We are to be like children.
But, wait a minute. What does it mean to be a child? Well, it certainly does not mean that we are to remain utterly naive or ignorant. Lord knows, we have enough of that going around. Also, this childlikeness is not a reference to immaturity or to the all-to-common tendency of young ones to throw temper tantrums. Again, there is already too much of that in all of our lives. What’s more, we’re not talking about a perpetual sense of self-centeredness. Some adults, like children, are self-absorbed.
What I have in mind, instead, is the childlike enthusiasm mentioned above. We are to live our lives, in other words, with enthusiasm and energy. If we are God’s image-bearers, if we live in God’s world, if we are blessed by him in countless ways, if he is truly with us–if these things are true, we ought to be truly engaged in daily affairs. This does not mean, of course, that we make-believe that everything is fine, for sometimes, frankly, it is not. Neither should we wear a false smile, pretending to be perpetually “happy.” Tears are just as valid an expression as are bouts of laughter, and pain is clearly a part of our existence. So, let’s not confuse this childlike spirit with the counterfeit spirituality that results from inauthentic attitudes or behavior.
The childlikeness in view here is simply the inner joy we can experience as we recognize the wonder and beauty of the life God has given. Many of us have countless opportunities to manifest this child within. It can happen when we feel the warmth of the sun, throw a snowball, run across a field, jump up and down at a sporting event, attend a concert, or converse with a close friend. It is perhaps most powerful when we authentically relate to the people God brings our way, be they family, friends, strangers, or even enemies.
“Lord, open our eyes to the wonder and beauty of it all. We know there is a lot of ugly out there. We realize that part of our duty is to weep amid the struggles of everyday existence. But please, Lord, help us not to miss the good stuff–the relationships, the opportunities to interact with other divine image-bearers, the chance to appreciate the demonstrations of your handiwork and love.”
Jesus had something to say about this subject. At one point, in fact, he said that only those who are like children will enter the kingdom of heaven. Pretty heavy stuff! Of course there are a number of ways to interpret Jesus’ words. Some argue that children is a reference to those child-like individuals who are willing to admit that they are needy; just like a child will instinctively cry out for mom or dad, so we should do the same with God. Other interpreters like to point to the basic innocence of children; we, like children, are to be unencumbered by the worries of the world. These and other interpretations are frequently found among interpreters of Jesus’ words, and I think there is much wisdom in what they say. My point in this blog, simply, is that, drawing from the overall emphasis of Scripture, believers should embody this attitide, this perspective, this outlook of child-like wonder!
It is often said that we are to retain a certain type of childlikeness. Indeed, some would gladly exclaim, “I’m a kid at heart.” There is, in their view, an “inner child” in each of us. To be honest, I think they are right and that this reflects a truly biblical theme. We are to be like children.
But, wait a minute. What does it mean to be a child? Well, it certainly does not mean that we are to remain utterly naive or ignorant. Lord knows, we have enough of that going around. Also, this childlikeness is not a reference to immaturity or to the all-to-common tendency of young ones to throw temper tantrums. Again, there is already too much of that in all of our lives. What’s more, we’re not talking about a perpetual sense of self-centeredness. Some adults, like children, are self-absorbed.
What I have in mind, instead, is the childlike enthusiasm mentioned above. We are to live our lives, in other words, with enthusiasm and energy. If we are God’s image-bearers, if we live in God’s world, if we are blessed by him in countless ways, if he is truly with us–if these things are true, we ought to be truly engaged in daily affairs. This does not mean, of course, that we make-believe that everything is fine, for sometimes, frankly, it is not. Neither should we wear a false smile, pretending to be perpetually “happy.” Tears are just as valid an expression as are bouts of laughter, and pain is clearly a part of our existence. So, let’s not confuse this childlike spirit with the counterfeit spirituality that results from inauthentic attitudes or behavior.
The childlikeness in view here is simply the inner joy we can experience as we recognize the wonder and beauty of the life God has given. Many of us have countless opportunities to manifest this child within. It can happen when we feel the warmth of the sun, throw a snowball, run across a field, jump up and down at a sporting event, attend a concert, or converse with a close friend. It is perhaps most powerful when we authentically relate to the people God brings our way, be they family, friends, strangers, or even enemies.
“Lord, open our eyes to the wonder and beauty of it all. We know there is a lot of ugly out there. We realize that part of our duty is to weep amid the struggles of everyday existence. But please, Lord, help us not to miss the good stuff–the relationships, the opportunities to interact with other divine image-bearers, the chance to appreciate the demonstrations of your handiwork and love.”
Jesus had something to say about this subject. At one point, in fact, he said that only those who are like children will enter the kingdom of heaven. Pretty heavy stuff! Of course there are a number of ways to interpret Jesus’ words. Some argue that children is a reference to those child-like individuals who are willing to admit that they are needy; just like a child will instinctively cry out for mom or dad, so we should do the same with God. Other interpreters like to point to the basic innocence of children; we, like children, are to be unencumbered by the worries of the world. These and other interpretations are frequently found among interpreters of Jesus’ words, and I think there is much wisdom in what they say. My point in this blog, simply, is that, drawing from the overall emphasis of Scripture, believers should embody this attitide, this perspective, this outlook of child-like wonder!
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