My parents bought me a little stuffed puppy when I was an infant. I still have that puppy. It has been with us over the years through many travels and ministry assignments here and abroad. Just the other day, I noticed it atop a bookshelf in our guest room. I was amazed at its durability and the fact it has remained intact through all the years of youthful handling and now into my advancing age.
This morning, the Lord revealed to me why the little stuffed puppy was still present in my life. He said, “I used it to remind you to remain like a child in my presence.”
The mark of maturity in a Christian’s life is childlikeness. Yes, we are to put away childish things and ways of living, but that does not mean we come to a place where we discard the heart of a child. Childlike innocence allows us to believe what others fail to believe. It keeps our hearts tender and open to our Heavenly Parent. Innocence protects our hearts when the world wants us to discard our innocence and embrace their “maturity” of worry and doubt.
The Lord is reminding His people to return to a place of childlike innocence, especially as the world descends into deeper levels of fear and distrust. Our childlike innocence allows us to hear the word of the Lord. It will stand in opposition to the messages of fear and doubt that many have allowed to direct their lives. The Lord is inviting His Church to return to that innocence because it is the only safe pathway into the future.
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18: 1-4).
Lately, whenever I hear Him speak to me, He always starts with, “My child”. It’s His beautiful reminder of who I am and how I am to be in His Presence. Childlike faith gives me peace in an, oftentimes, trying world. I know my Father…my Papa… Is the One holding all things together, in His strong hands.