Be Childish

I will be the first to admit that I’m kinda sorta…extremely childish at times. I laugh at a lot of things that I probably shouldn’t laugh at. My sarcasm turns into a childish joke (or…5). I have natural childishness down to every tee; it’s the spiritual childishness that I struggle with (surprising, right?)….

Matthew 18:3-4  says “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” The more that I think about it, the more that I realize that Jesus was essentially telling us to take on the traits of a child, to be childish. What does that look like? Glad you asked! (or at least care enough to keep reading lol) Well, when I was younger, I didn’t think my parents were even capable of lying. They said it; it must be so. I rarely (if ever) questioned it (note: I said child, not teen, adolescent, etc. lol). I went to my parents for just about everything. For example, one day, I told my mom I made a new friend. She immediately told me to stop calling every new person I met my friend, because everybody that you meet on the playground (or life in general) shouldn’t be included in the friend count. While my 5 year old optimism was a bit shaken, I stopped calling everybody my friend. Why? Because my Mama said so. Now, children do disobey. They’ll definitely test the limits, but there’s an innocence and a belief that I see in children that I don’t see in many adults. 

     I don’t know about you, but “adult” Valencia is a bit different from “child” Valencia. Adult Valencia has more experience (for better or for worse). She’s been hurt. She’s been wounded a few times. She’s been lied to (so she doesn’t believe others as much as 4 year old Valencia would). She’s been misunderstood & mistreated. Furthermore ‘adult’ Valencia has messed around & picked up a few logical/critical thinking skills. Therefore, when God tells her something, she has a habit of trying to plan out (or at least create a reasonable scenario of) how it will “come to pass”. Because, let’s be honest, God wouldn’t possibly expect me to be live something that doesn’t match up to what I see/hear down here in some way, right?! (let’s all laugh together lol) Why on earth would the creator of paths & destinations show me a destination before I even start the path? God is supposed to make sense to me! (*continue hysterical laughter*) The more I learn about God, the more that I realize that 4 year old Valencia may not be the worst person to emulate (at times). 

     I’ve learned that God wants to be more than the all powerful being that we passively call ‘father’. He also doesn’t just want to be our father and only use it to condemn or convict us when we do wrong. God wants us to believe in Him, and in His word, the way that children believe their parents. If anybody deserves it, it’s Him. I thought my parents were indestructible; He actually is indestructible. I believed that my parents could & would do everything they said they would. They forgot sometimes (for better or worse lol); God doesn’t forget a thing. God doesn’t start a thing that He doesn’t have a full plan to finish. He can’t be stopped. He doesn’t get weak. He’s never been sick…or broke…or tired. I can understand why and how we allow our life experiences to impact our belief in man, but why do we apply the way we see the creations to the way we view the Creator? 

     This week, I encourage you to be childish. I encourage you to take God at His word…just one time. Believe that He that said it is faithful to perform it….just one time. Put away your “knowledge” and your “experiences”. Slide your facts to the side, and step into faith. Don't let life get in the way of abundant life. Don't let your history block or limit your destiny. Be His child, and believe again. Hope again. Be open again. Try it, just one more time…and wait for Him to blow your mind. 

Background music: I Trust You - Tasha Cobbs & Good Good Father - Benita Washington (originally by Chris Tomlin, but I love Benita lol)

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