Though Jesus never directly instructs his followers to have “childlike faith,” he is clear that we can all learn some things from the way children engage with life.
After all, when his disciples asked him who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus answered, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-3).
In the church, we’ve named this childlike faith. We talk about it as a faith of innocence and reliance, like the way children have faith in their parents to raise them and provide for their needs.
But maybe we should take a deeper look at “childlike faith.” Jesus said we will never enter the kingdom of heaven without becoming like children. That’s a strong statement. It’s worth analyzing. Surely Jesus doesn’t wish for us to regress back to diapers and pacifiers, but he does want us to change.
1. Children are quick to forgive.
Five-year-old Billy and six-year-old Dominic are best friends. One day, they get in an argument on the playground. Billy doesn’t want to share his ball with Dominic, and so Dominic says, “Fine. You aren’t my best friend anymore.”
As I worked with children this week, I took some time to observe and jot down some qualities I think are valuable to Christian life. Here’s what I saw. (Note: The names of all children in the stories below have been changed in order to protect their privacy.)
So, what is childlike faith? What essential characteristics of true faith do children have, that we tend to lose as we grow older?
Billy’s face falls and he bursts into tears. He is crushed.
Moments later, Dominic goes over to Billy and gives him a big hug. Just like that, all is forgiven, and they play together once again.
Forgiveness is such a crucial piece of the gospel story – and perhaps the most crucial piece of the story – because by the forgiveness of God, we are saved. We were the ones who broke the rules. We were the ones who rebelled. God was the one to forgive.
And God forgave us for a debt so large his son had to pay the price on a wooden cross. He forgave the unforgivable.
Yet as adults, we are not so quick to forgive. Instead, we are quick to hold grudges. We hold grudges against our families, our friends, and even complete strangers.
If you still don’t think everyday forgiveness is important to God, check out the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18. Jesus is clear how his father feels about those who can’t forgive their brothers and sisters. How would you feel if you forgave someone of a debt they’d never be able to pay back, just to have them turn around and condemn their own debtor who owed only a penny?
We could all stand to learn to forgive as easily as a child.
2. Children are passionate and enthusiastic.
One-year-old Tommy can’t yet stand and play on his own, but he laughs and claps just watching the other toddlers play in the nursery.
Whenever three-year-old Grant’s father comes to pick him up at the end of the day, Grant runs to him. His voice is filled with joy as he shouts, “My daddy is here!” and runs into his father’s open arms.
For many of us, the journey from childhood to adulthood includes pain, hurt, and the realization that life is harder than what you once thought it would be. This journey can make us cynical and take away some of the passion and enthusiasm we once had as children.
But for Christians, faith should be the most passionate and enthusiastic piece of our existence.
We should laugh and clap like Tommy as we watch people fall in love with Christ. We should sprint and shout with arms extended as we rush into the open arms of our Heavenly Father at the end of a long day.
This isn’t to say life is all rainbows and butterflies, but true faith lives should be marked by passion and enthusiasm, especially as we grow closer to our Creator.
3. Children trust.
Two-year-old Rachel laughs as she is thrown up into the air, trusting her caretaker will catch her and not let her fall to the ground.
Five-year-old Gracie comes up to me and asks, “What time is it, Miss Becca? Is it three-three-zero yet?” Gracie’s mom picks her up from school at 3:30. Gracie counts down the minutes, but even if her mother is a little late, Gracie still knows she will come for her.
By definition, trust and faith are inseparable. Google defines trust as belief in someone or something, and defines faith as complete trust. You can’t have one without the other, right?
Yet, many people of faith have trouble with trust, in faith and in other aspects of life. It’s hard to believe in someone or something you can’t see. It’s hard to have faith.
But true Christian faith is trusting God will catch you in those moments you feel like your life is crashing to the ground. True Christian faith is confidence that one day, at a time unknown, you will be face to face with the Savior of the world.
And children can teach us a whole lot about trust.
4. Children are completely dependent.
Four-year-old Jeffrey holds out his plastic-wrapped Lunchable. “Miss Becca, can you open this for me?” he asks.
Of course I say yes, and take off the plastic packaging. But what if I hadn’t?
Jeffrey wouldn’t have been able to have eat lunch that day. He was completely dependent on others for his physical nourishment, first on his parents’ willingness to pack his lunch, and then on my ability to open it.
We can probably all open our own Lunchables now – but that’s not all we know how to do on our own, and we make that known.
I’ll be the first to admit it: I’m strong-willed and I like to do things on my own. If someone tells me I can’t do something, my instinct is to prove them wrong.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad thing to be self-reliant. As we grow up, we need to learn how to take care of ourselves. However, we can’t extend our pride of independence into our relationship with the Creator. We need to learn to live as self-reliant individuals, dependent on our Lord and Savior. This sort of dependency fosters trust.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Forgive others. Let passion and enthusiasm overtake the way you live out your faith. Find ways to trust more. Depend on God more than you depend on your own abilities.
I know each of these things are easier said than done, but I believe effort, prayer, and intentionality go a long way. Ask God to help you. Who knows? Maybe he’ll use the most unlikely teachers, the little children, to show you the way.
And never forget… you are onederfully created.
Love,
Becca
