Every now and then when I am out with my kids having fun or playing at home, I get a glimpse of their innocent joy and it reminds me of my own childhood. How often do we forget, but we should always remember it. When I was a child, there were no worries or concerns. You didn't have to have them. I had amazing parents who were reliable. I could count on them and they took very good care of me and my brother and sister. So I didn't worry, even when I heard their voices in the background of my games, talking about money concerns. I didn't stress when they discussed the dangers of the country we were living in and the real terrifying things that had happened yesterday. Even when those things crept into our back yard to try to break into our home and we were told to hide, I wasn't ever afraid. I had a really good father who took care of our family and got rid of the dangers. My parents provided for us. They gave us security and they gave us blessings and joy. I was constantly in my joy-filled childishness. I would imagine and play all day. I was loving and considerate to other people. I was completely fearless, because my parents were always protecting us. And when I look at my children, I often see that in their eyes and it warms me to my core to know I'm doing this well for them.
But today, when I saw it in their eyes, it was accompanied by God's voice and it gave me pause. He reminded me of a time when I was a child and someone asked me what I was afraid of. I really didn't know what I was afraid of, because truthfully I wasn't. I was never afraid, but I pretended that I was afraid of something. I was so good at pretending, because I was an innocent child. I started convincing myself over and over again that I was actually afraid of this thing. It turns out I never did become afraid of it. (Heights, because I know you were incredibly curious lol). But as I grew, even though that fear did not ever sink into heart, other fears did and they followed the channel of the practice I had laid by pretending to be afraid.
This wasn't the only time that I convinced myself of something like this. When I grew older, I was spending time with co-workers who were constantly complaining about bills and how expensive life is. They also complained endlessly about work. I didn't feel either of those things. Yes, I only made enough money to pay my rent and bills and buy food to live on, but that was absolutely enough for me and I was very content naturally in that. I also really enjoyed my job and it was all the entertainment I ever needed. I would have worked all day every day if they had let me. To be fair, I was working in the theater department at an amusement park, so it was very entertaining to be there and there was endless fun to be had and my friends were all such a joy. But I managed to convince myself by practicing and rehearsing what I had heard, that I needed more. That I was not satisfied. That this wasn't enough.
And as I remember back to these things, I'm reminded of my kids today. My daughter had a girl run up to her today and say "Hey, wanna be friends?" And my daughter smiled and said "Okay!" and off they went to play together. Whenever one of them forgot the others name, they just asked for it again and the play and smiles and joy continued. They didn't get insulted or hurt that the other had forgotten. They didn't have to stress over social anxiety and maybe this person won't like me or will reject me. They just jumped fearlessly into a friendship. Something we adults ache and struggle with.
I saw a video online about children who were asked "if you could change anything about your body, what would it be?" And their responses were inspired! Some said they would grow wings and be able to fly. Some would get super powers and be able to teleport. Some would have legs like a cheetah to be able to run super fast. The sweetness of these innocent answers! You know adults don't think like this.
Beyond this, a study was conducted many years ago that showed of children who are below age 5, 98% in this study were considered genius's. As the children grew, the number lessened and lessened over time until into young adult age, only 2% of that same population remained in the genius level.
So all of these facts are starting to make me realize something. We need to follow God's word and example to be innocent like little children.
Matthew 18:1-5 says "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."
We have got to age backwards to that time in our lives when we could play and enjoy this world, knowing that money and fears and the things of this world were covered by our Father. We need to age backwards to the time when the things that God called us to do were not just a chore that we checked off the list for His sake, but they were a satisfying and enjoyable task that we were purposed and pleased to do. We need to age backwards to the time when we could run up to a stranger and say "Hey, wanna be friends?" and be Christ-like in our approach to them, unafraid of rejection and happy to share love. We need to age backwards to a time when we weren't so concerned with the things we've been traumatized by or the social norms and instead just be satisfied to dream and imagine. We need to age backwards to a time when our brains weren't so bogged down with all the cares of this world and could explore freely, the way God created us to. Most of all, we need to age backwards to be able to share Christ freely, unafraid of what people will say or do or think or feel. We need to stop worrying about pleasing society and start caring truly in our hearts about pleasing God. His original design was children. Two naked, happy, loving friends who wandered and played all day in a garden with God. How terribly we need to get back to that. How swiftly it is approaching.
How desperately we need to give up our fears, our traumas, our anxieties, our cares of the world, and become like little children.
Comments