Few things are more fun and interesting than being around young children. Their curiosity about life, observations on all manner of things that we take for granted make us laugh and take notice of life seen through their eyes. They see the world through fresh eyes and their perspectives are not only humorous but they remind us of the beauty of our world and people and life that we have lost over the years. It is refreshing and challenging.

For years, our family vacationed in Montana near Yellowstone park. One particular year, the park was burning and the fire was almost impossible to contain. It consumed vast areas of some of the most beautiful scenery in our country. My son Jonathan, who was very young at the time, was deeply disturbed by the fires in the burning park. As we drove through the haze Jonathan scrunched up his eyes, folded his hands together, and asked Jesus to stop the fires. I thought to myself, wow, he’s serious. But as an adult I knew it was unlikely.

That night the rains came and the fires went out. Because of his prayer? All I can say is that he prayed and it happened. He had the faith of a child, believing that God actually acts when we pray. And put me to shame. After all, I am grown up and have all kinds of reasons why God would not answer an audacious prayer. 

The faith of a child. In Luke 18:15-17, we read this: “People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 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. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’”

What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a little child? It means that we believe and trust God in a childlike way, taking Him at His word, believing His promises and simply following him with a simple, believing, faith. This is a humble faith that sees the greatness of God where our pride and ego don’t get in our way. It is the faith of my son Jonathan who fervently believed that God would stop the fires And He did. 

As adults it is easy to be jaded and cynical about our faith. We can take it for granted, and often don’t believe that God can truly enter our lives and make a difference. We have all kinds of reasons why we don’t believe that will happen. But Jesus says, “anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Meditate on that sentence. Ask yourself, as you walk through your day, what the faith of a little child looks like. Keep it simple. It is a simple faith, a believing faith, a humble faith. And a saving faith.

Jesus, I am all grown up but I long for that kind of simple faith. Would you help me un-complicate my view of what it means to follow you, believe your promises and put my life daily in your hands. Amen.