When we are kids, the majesty of the universe and creation seems to be much more profound.
Did you ever lay on the ground looking into the sky and ask “Am I really here?” “Is all this real?”, or “Why am I here?” I know that I certainly did.
Then, as we grow older the majesty and wonderment seem to dim. What causes this?
The truth is that the majesty and wonderment should never dim. It never changes. However, as we get older, we tend to get jaded and complacent.
How do we regain the excitement and wonderment of our youth? How do we regain the fascination and amazement experienced as a kid?
Most will admit that as adults they are preoccupied with job duties, parental duties and other adult tasks that must be done. Many will say that it takes all their energy and thought, just to make it through the day.
We understand these feelings, but counter with the fact that God is offering us a glimpse of His wonder and majesty in everything around us, every day and even in all the mundane tasks we have to do.
God is around us in everything we see, yet we adults are far too often preoccupied and unable to see Him.
The fact is that God wants us to approach him with the same childlike wonder and amazement that we had as kids.
Jesus tells us in the gospels of Matthew and Luke that to enter the kingdom of Heaven, we must become as little children.
Matthew 18:1-5 New International Version
The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Luke 18:16-17 New International Version
16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Let’s explore why Jesus is saying that we must become like little children. My views are as follows;
- Children have that childlike wonder and enthusiasm that we discussed earlier
- Children experience fascination and amazement more-so than adults do
- Children have a well cemented bond with their parents
- Children have total faith and confidence that their parents will take care of them
- Children love their parents with an unconditional love
- Children have a childlike humility
- Children are totally dependent on their earthly parents
I believe Jesus is teaching that we must have a childlike bond with and unconditional love of God and most importantly we must have childlike dependence on God, reliance on God and faith in God. In other words, total dependence on God.
We must have the humility of a child. As a child, not enough time has elapsed to allow the building up of pride or caring what others may think.
Finally, God wants us to approach him with that same childlike wonder that we had as a child. As children expect the best from their earthly parents, we are to expect the very best from God.
With childlike enthusiasm, look for the very best of God each day. With childlike wonder, discover God’s presence in everything around you. With childlike amazement and fascination, discover the wonder of God’s creation each day. With childlike enthusiasm pray to God and open your heart to Him.
With childlike dependence, look to your Heavenly Father for all things, for He is in total control and cares for His children.
God has promised to be with us always. When we are on the mountain top, God is there. When we are going through one of life’s valleys, God is there also. At all times, let us look to Him, pray to Him and depend on Him, as we did our earthly parents.
We will never be a kid again in chronological years, but we can re-kindle our fascination, enthusiasm, amazement, love, connection, bond and dependence on our Heavenly Father. In doing so, we will see God and His majesty differently.
Give it a try.
RVH