Child-like Faith

"People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." (Mark 10:13-16 NIV)

Many years ago when my son Christian was little more than a toddler he had an important question to ask my wife, Pam. I don't remember exactly what the question was, just that it was one of those questions that parents sometimes get when little ones are perplexed about something in the world around them.

In any event, Christian came to his mom for an explanation, as he often did, eager to learn the answer to some great mystery.  Whatever the question was, Pam uncharacteristically had no answer for him.  So, instead of just making something up that would satisfy a young mind Pam simply told Christian that she did not know.

Unsatisfied and undeterred, Christian asked the question again, explaining that he really wanted to know. When Pam told Christian a second time that she did not know the answer Christian became indignant.  "Mommy," Christian protested, "I know you know the answer, you know everything!"

Over the years I have heard Pam recount that story many times.  It was a cute moment to be sure.  But, it also speaks so clearly both to the innocence of childhood and to the authority that we, as parents, wield in the lives of our little ones. It may be that not all children articulate that thought about their parents, but all children on some level believe it to be true -- at least for a short time.

As I was thinking about that story this morning, it brought a little clarity for me about my own walk with God.  It was not a revelation really. It was not some new concept or thought that had never occurred to me before. It was more of a perspective thing.

It occurred to me that my conviction that God really does know everything -- and that He is all powerful -- is critical to my ability to be a disciple and to truly love Him with all of my heart, all of my mind, all of my soul and all of my strength.  I need to be in awe of Him -- overwhelmed by His majesty.  It is this conviction, combined with a recognition and acceptance of my own spiritual bankruptcy, that allow me to fully trust in Him.

One of the reasons that we have a crisis of faith in America today is that we have lost our awe of God.  Who needs God when we can send a man to the moon?  Who needs God when medical doctors can cure just about any disease?  For that matter, who needs God when there is something called the iPhone?  If men have all the answers, and those answers are easily accessible on the Internet, who needs the Bible?

I guess my question for you today is this: "are you just a believer in God, or are you in awe of His greatness, His power and His majesty?"  Are you overwhelmed by the thought of the power that spoke the universe into existence, the sun to shine and the planets to spin.  Are you humbled by the idea that the creator of the universe knows you, loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you?

Radical Revisited

As many of you know, every Wednesday night I lead a discipleship class called "Radical" at Heartland Church.  I say "lead" rather than "teach," because most nights I get far more out of the class than I am able to put into it.

Anyway, last January we decided to go through the Beatitudes.  And, when we had finished the Beatitudes, we decided to work our way through the entire Sermon on the Mount.  It is nearly August, and last week we started Matthew Chapter 6.

As we have traveled this journey together through the great sermon, I have been reminded again and again how Radical the Bible is, how Radical the faith is that God calls us to, and how Radical the life that is truly lived for Jesus.

I don't think there is anything we have studied so far that was all that difficult to comprehend.  However, virtually all of it is difficult to live.  In fact, I would say that most of us don't really have even the desire to live the Radical life that Jesus calls us to, much less the will to press toward that goal.  And that is understandable.

To really pursue Jesus with all of our heart, all of our mind, all of our soul and all of our strength is a difficult thing.  The Christian life is hard.  I suppose that is why Jesus wisely warns us to count the cost of following Him.  See Luke 14:27-28.

While I would love to see all Christians take the idea of being a disciple more seriously, I have also found myself over the last six months having more grace for those who don't -- or those who can't.  We are all in different places on the journey.  Some believers -- even those who have been saved for a very long time -- need healing before they can ever really even think about being a disciple.  Others are too new to the faith to really press toward the goal.  Still others perhaps just need to wait until the Holy Spirit convicts them -- that moment of realization that Christianity has less to do with what God can do for you, and more to do with how God can use you.

I will tell you honestly that I have really been struggling with this idea lately (notwithstanding my "pastor" title).   And, maybe that is why I am finding more grace for others.  The question, though, is not whether I am doing enough, but rather I am doing what God has called me to do.  It is not a matter of legalism, nor a matter of "works" (we are saved by grace).  Rather, time and time again it comes down to a matter of the heart.  Am I allowing my heart to pursue Him with everything I have, and to submit to His will?

If you have never joined us on a Wednesday night, I hope you will consider doing so.  Its a journey that God never intended us to make alone.