Like little children

https://odb.org/MY/2023/08/01/faith-of-a-child-2

This story of Jesus asking the disciples not to hinder the little children from coming to Him is well-known to espouse the principle that Jesus reiterated – we need to have the faith of a child to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. See Luke 18:15-17.

What, then, is the faith of a child? A child, as we all know, has limited knowledge of the world and also a limited experience interacting with people. The world of a child may even be characterised by the fairy tales read to them. It’s a “happily ever after” kind of world. To us adults, it is unreal and unrealistic as the world is harsh and people can be evil. People are, in general, looking after themselves, selfish rather than selfless. But the child not knowing much just thinks positively of everyone. He thinks everyone is good. While time and experience may have conditioned adults to think otherwise, Christ looks at the good of everyone, and thus, that’s a good trait to have as a believer. God loves everyone, including our enemies, and we must do likewise.

Secondly, a child’s reaction is almost instantaneous. As adults, we may sometimes say that such decisions are rushed or rash – doing without thinking through. We hesitate and weigh the situation and think of the pros and cons, and alas, sometimes the moment just passes. As adults, we may have a tendency to over-analyse things. But faith often needs an immediate response. Do we help that person over there? Do we offer to pray for him? Do we send him RM1,000? Do we apply to join the Doulos ship? Do we become a missionary for God? Usually, when we hesitate and think, we end up not doing.

Thus, in my view, our faith and response to God are usually hampered by overthinking. But if we are like little children, we will respond immediately in faith and trust God to do the rest. That is why I believe Jesus taught us that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we need to be like a child. Moreover, if we think like adults, just like the Sadducees and Pharisees, we may not be able to believe that we will be “born-again” as a child of God. Can we even believe in two births and one death?

There is a lot of wisdom when Jesus said we need to be like a child to enter the Kingdom of God. Do not hesitate. Be like a child, move in faith. Trust the Lord. Be like Peter, just jump into the water as Jesus calls. Be bold and courageous like Joshua and Caleb. Faith requires action, not thinking.