Like a real child.

"But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me: do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them." (Mark 10:14-16, ESV)


Growing up in the church community was one of the greatest blessings I have ever been given. It also has turned out to be one of the greatest obstacles in my walk with Jesus. From as far back as I can remember, words like "propitiation" and "sanctification" and "intercession" were thrown around. But, growing up in the church, it's just assumed you know what those words mean. Like, when you're born, they are engrained in your brain. Etched into your mind by some doing of the Holy Spirit.

No one takes the time to explain them. And I'm not sure that some people who actually use those words understand what they mean. Which really complicates matters when you're trying to fit in, to play the part, and you can't correctly execute the use of the vast vocabulary.

And I found that this same thing, the lack of explanation, rolls over into religious phrases as well. We throw them around because it's expected of us, without fully understanding what we are saying. We may have some idea, but we haven't grasped the full concept yet.

For me, one of those phrases or ideas has always been coming to God with faith like a child.

It's been explained to me this way... Children are trusting by nature. They can't do things on their own, they need to rely on others to help them. We need to trust God implicitly and rely on Him in all things.

Which is true! And great. And I agree completely.

BUT.

It never sat right with me that, that was all there was to it. There had to be something more, right?

And this week it clicked.

Three mornings a week, all the students at school gather together and have chapel. We sing, pray, and hear a short message or story. And every week I watch with a beaming heart and a thankful spirit. These kids love God more than ANYTHING. And they aren't afraid to show it.

Especially one little girl in the preschool class. Silisa is maybe 3 years old, and full of sass and spunk. And she worships God like nobody I have ever seen.

She yells the lyrics rather than sings them, like she can't proclaim the truth loud enough. She claps her hands no matter the speed of the song. God loves a joyful noise, right? She jumps and dances and lifts her hands, like she was King David himself.

She has such reckless abandon when she worships. Like, so reckless that she regularly loses her balance and falls over, or hits the kid next her to her while dancing.

Isn't that one of the greatest things about kids? Their excitement and enthusiasm? Their sheer joy about even the smallest things?

So, if we are told to come to God like a child, shouldn't we be portraying that same level of ecstasy? Shouldn't we be beside ourselves with how much we love God and want to praise Him?

Why aren't we?

Why can't we seem to muster the same abandon that Silisa does? The same joy we feel when we find the perfect shirt to complete our outfit? Or buy a new car? Or sip on a Starbucks at the end of a really long day?

If we claim to be Christians, and we claim to put Christ first in our lives, it should be our deepest desire to praise him completely and wholeheartedly. All the time. No matter what.

We shouldn't be ashamed of being Christian. We shouldn't be concerned with what the person next to us at church will think if we should lift BOTH hands in worship instead of just one. We shouldn't care how desperately the devil tries to distract us.

Because we GET to worship JESUS. Think about that for a second.

Let it sink in.

How COMPLETELY INCREDIBLE is that thought?!

Jesus. Like, THE Jesus. And we get to come to Him and worship Him. Be with Him. Experience Him.

Now, I'm not saying you need to jump around during the next worship service you attend. Or that you should start interpretive dancing in the middle of the mall to show how much you love God.

What I am saying is this... God chose you to be His. He saved you from utter darkness. He desires, and more importantly deserves, your praise. Completely and unashamedly.

So come to Him like a child.