Sometimes people think that “faith like a child” means living in ignorance. Children don’t know much, right? They just believe without any facts or thinking or logic. So this must be what it means to have faith like a child.
I agree that in some ways, faith like a child means taking God at His Word and just moving on.
But at the same time, God gave us brains, and desires that we use them. He invites us to reason with Him (Isa 1:18).
So if faith like a child doesn’t mean living in willful ignorance, what does it mean to have faith like a child?
This video clues you in to part of it:
I am convinced that faith like a child does not mean ignorance like a child.
No, to have faith like a child means to view life like a child.
How does a child view life?
Like the girl in the video, children have a tenderness of conscience. They are emotional.
But this doesn’t mean that to have faith like a child you need to have emotions like a child. No, it’s more than that.
Children are full of wonder and awe.
Children are creative and imaginative.
Children are playful and fun-loving.
As adults, we get bored with flowers, bugs, and sunsets. We lose delight in talking with others about nothing. We are jaded and disinterested.
Adults hold grudges, harbor fears, and stay angry.
Adults refuse to forgive. Adults remember slights.
I think one of the things that attracted people to Jesus is that He was “child-like.” Does this mean He lacked wisdom and understanding? Far from it! No, Jesus was “child-like” in that He was full of the wonder of life, the hope for humanity, and the beauty of creation. Jesus lived in awe.
And awe is contagious.
Do you want to have faith like a child?
Having faith like a child has absolutely nothing to do with not asking questions. After all, have you ever known a child who doesn’t ask LOTS of questions?
No, having faith like a child means having an “imagination” like a child.
Those who have faith like a child will hope, dream, forgive, create, trust, and love. Live life to the full. Be excited. Be adventuresome. Be tender of heart. And always ask lots and lots of questions.
So think! Reason! Question! Ask! But also imagine, dance, sing, laugh, and play! Then you will have faith like a child.
They are also not bound by the baggage of tradition, by something telling them it is impossible before even starting. Give a four year old a hammer and tell him to break down the building. Chances are he will not say it’s impossible, but will start with the nearest window?
This not my “wisdom” but I learned this from Jewish insight.
Ha! I love that picture. You are so right! They don’t understand impossibilities yet. They just go at it.
Amen! (Love that video)