Like a child? Or childish?

We know a family from another culture and another part of this world who have become close friends, even calling us by family names. They are Christians who have been persecuted and learned to deeply trust God for everything. In their faith, they are transparent with us, like children in their attitude and joy. Sadly, some people think that because of that child-like trust and simple joy, this family has a low IQ and are unable to make good choices.

Christ 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. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” (Matthew 18:3–5)

That attitude of a child is not about how much they know or how dependent the child is on adults to take care of them. It is about trust, receptivity, being eager to listen and obey, about being open, being who they are without putting on a false layer to cover up their sense of inadequacy.

Think about the result of a child of loving parents getting the idea that his parents would not give him food and clothing unless he earned them in some way. This is part of what Jesus meant. Children of God are to remain trusting, not spoil their sweet relationship with God by thinking they must work for spiritual blessings. The NT describes this:

You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:4)

This could be illustrated by one person who also knows the first family I described. When I mentioned the mature godliness I saw, he described it as “childish” in critical terms, rather than “child-like” as a virtue. Later, that same person expressed that applying Scripture is paramount rather than first interpreting it properly. He is heavy into ‘doing’ without first seeking what God wants. He seems to be always tired and without deep joy.

Without knowing the human heart, I cannot say what goes on in this critic’s mind. He doesn’t seem to think Jesus is a “hard man” like the one He describes in Matthew 25:24, yet without the transparency of a child, who can know what drives him or others like him who dismiss the ‘children’ of God as naive and in need of much guidance.

Another characteristic of those who deeply trust Christ like a child is that they have realized the truth Jesus describes here:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

Jesus would not have to say this if so many people, Christians included, have not bowed their necks to the yoke of Christ as to a yoke of bondage. They read these verses as if they are a fairy tale. Sometimes when a Christian is in bondage and then finds true liberty, they think there is something wrong about their experience.

I get that. The liberty of transparency and total trust at times has made me feel like I should be ‘doing something’ or be more burdened for the messes and the needy people that I have prayed for. Then God reminds me that He will tell me what to do and when to do it. As for my thoughts, He says this to show me how He wants me to think:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8–9)

PRAY: Jesus, there are times for being burdened about the ugly stuff, for thinking about needy folks and doing what I can for them, but I’m not to be driven by a sense of duty, only by what You reveal to me and speak about directly to me. I’m also not to care if others think I’m naive or childish. They simply do not realize the freedom for which You have set me free. Forgive them and even better, show them what it is like to be Your child.

 

Like a child . . .

Many years ago I stood on the northern shores of Maui watching those gigantic waves roar in. They sounded like a freight train and were so magnificent that I was as excited, jumping up and down with expressions of delight much like a child.

Then it was ruined. I was with others who gave more attention to my delight than joining me by being excited over the waves. I felt like a little kid who had been twirling to music without any thought of herself and someone said, “Oh isn’t she cute” making me totally self-conscious.

This is the nearest I can come to describing what God has for His people when He fills us with His Spirit. Life becomes a delightful experience without that sense of self, or of being looked at, examined, put in the limelight. It is a freedom that turns my eyes away from me and upward toward the awesome wonder of my God.

How does this happen? Tozer quotes Dr. Simpson: “Being filled with the Spirit is as easy as breathing; you can simply breathe out and breathe in.”

It may not be that easy (see yesterday’s post) as God does require a little more from me than breathing. One of those requirements is in this passage . . .

“And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul, but that whoever would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. They swore an oath to the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with horns. And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.” (2 Chronicles 15:12–15)

The Spirit does not fill a half-hearted desire for God. He might do it now and then for His purposes, but generally, my emptiness is important to His filling. Had I stood on that beach in Maui thinking, “Look at me people, look how cute I am” instead of being totally taken up with the water and its pounding, I would not have had that childlike freedom and delight. It is the same in walking with the Lord. Any preoccupation with something else takes up space where the Spirit cannot fill.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I realize that even being preoccupied with ‘all of the above’ can push You out, so instead of going on and on and thinking too much about this, the next thing is prayer and whatever else You want from me today. Make it clear — and keep me focused. I know that seeking You with all my heart is impossible unless grace and mercy prevail! And I need to be empty . . .

Abiding is like Dancing

Christians could be said to have dual personalities. One, the flesh or old nature, exhibits sinful behavior. The other is the spiritual person, the same body and everything else, but filled with the Holy Spirit instead of selfishness. While the difference is obvious, describing it is a challenge.
 

I’m thinking of a child dancing to a favorite tune. She is lost in the music, totally without any sense of self-consciousness, yet simply a delight to those watching. However, as soon as someone says, “Are you ever cute,” she becomes aware of herself and the magic is gone. She either stops dancing and hides, or starts performing and looking for complements.

This probably happened to me as a child, but I can remember it happening once as an adult. I was standing on the shore in Maui watching forty-foot waves for the first time. I was totally mesmerized by their power and completely absorbed by the beauty of the ocean. Then someone said to me the equivalent of “Are you ever cute,” and the moment was gone. Instead of focusing on the ocean, I became aware of what I looked like as I focused on the ocean. I recall feeling deeply disappointed, almost wounded at losing that sense of awe and delight that made me totally forget myself.

This is as close as I can come to describing worship and the experience of being filled with the Spirit of God. This is also a picture of what Jesus meant when He said that His people need to abide in Him.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

When Jesus is the focus, the object of our attention, then we become so taken up with Him that whatever we do is a product of that awe and delight. The work I do or the ministry that I am involved in does not change, but abiding in Him changes me. Instead of that to-do list being a mere set of chores that can feel like a daily grind or a performance for others, it becomes a delight, like a child dancing without any thought of self.

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Lord, what a lovely image. My list is long today. Instead of dreading it or becoming tired of it, I’d love to dance through it, abiding in You. That means keeping my eyes on You and not allowing anything divert my attention to myself. May the music begin!