But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Mark 10:14-15 (ESV)
As an early childhood educator, I have been contemplating exactly what does it mean to have childlike faith? As a mother and a former early childhood professional, I’ve had the wonderful privilege to be surrounded by children all day long. Today I thought I would share what childlike faith means to me and how one’s walk with God can be more childlike.
What does it mean to have 'Childlike Faith' (from an early educator's perspective) #faith Click To Tweet
Children are innocent.
One of the most beautiful aspects of childhood is the innocence that goes with it. Children are clean and pure of heart. They come into this world clean and pure of heart.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
Children marvel in God’s creation.
Have you ever seen a child delight in a ladybug crawling on a blade of grass or be overjoyed at the sight of a bird flying in the sky? The world beats us up. It doesn’t take long for us to get caught up in life’s challenges and lose that pure delight which God’s creation gives to us.
God wants us to continually delight in the beautiful gift of nature that he has given to mankind.
Children are trusting.
Children put their trust in the adults in their life. They wholeheartedly believe what adults tell them to be true.
God wants us to trust Him. He wants the best for us. He loves us. He has plans for us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)
Children rely on others to sustain them.
Children often need the adults in their lives to provide sustenance for them.
God wants us to rely on Him to provide for us. When we trust in Him, He will also provide for us.
Children are honest and bold.
A child speaks from the heart. They do not care what others think of them… they are bold.
God wants us to be honest and bold. He wants us to be honest about our walk with Him. He wants us to be bold and to speak freely and openly about His love for us.
Children ask questions.
Children have many questions. They want to know why the sky is blue, why some animals have two legs and others have four. They want to know why the stars sparkle and why snow falls from the sky. They are full of questions.
God wants us to ask questions. He wants us to turn to Him and ask Him for the answers to our mind’s greatest queries.
Children are eager to learn.
Children are naturally eager to learn anything and everything. They are open and willing to receive instruction.
God wants us to be eager to learn from Him. He has so much to teach us, we just have to be receptive to His instruction.
Children are naturally full of faith.
Children will believe what you tell them to be true because you tell them it is so. They are naturally faith-filled. They believe without any convincing to do so.
God wants us to reacquaint ourselves with that natural faith. He wants us to believe in Him, to have faith that He loved us so much that He sacrificed His only son for us, so that we may have everlasting life.
Children know how to love.
Children are born with love in them. There are no conditions, they simply love for the sake of loving.
Children, like God, offer a pure and true love. They love without condition. God wants us to continue to demonstrate that love… both to Him and to everyone in this world.
Childlike faith. It’s innocent, pure, and simple. I pray that we seek out and live that childlike faith… we are, after all, His children.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
SHARE WITH OTHERS
What an important thing to remember, to have childlike faith! Lovely post; thanks for sharing. I found your blog on Bloggy Moms & will be your newest follower! If you would like to check out my blog, I am at Mommyhood by, Jess – http://www.mommyhoodbyjess.com. Look forward to your next post! ~Jessica
What a beautiful post. I really enjoyed reading this and it seems like it was perfect timing as I am going through some things right now with our daughter and her faith. Thank you!
What a wonderful post. There’s something so beautiful about the innocence and faith of children. A great reminder to strive for childlike faith…
Lovely. Thanks, Jennifer :)
This is so beautiful, I agree wholeheartedly that children are already so full of love and faith. Seeing your daughter so little really puts time in perspective (as if I needed that!) lol It’s so fun to read your older posts <3!
I’m delighted you read this oldie! I’ve been revitalizing old posts and this one is definitely one of my favourites.
Wishing you a lovely day my friend!
xoxo
I loved reading your post today. It resonated with me as this is how I am striving to live my life; totally dependent on God for everything with a thankful heart. I am happy to have stumbled across your blog and am sure it will be one I come to often.
Blessings,
Shari
Thank you Shari! I’m glad you enjoyed this post. It’s an oldie but it’s one of my favourites. It’s so important to keep that childlike faith… God specifically asks it of us.
Wishing you a lovely day and God bless you!
This is my Word at this moment. Child-like faith casts out every fear, worry and high BP Thank you for this post. You just helped to restore my faith in God.
A lovely post and so true. The innocence and trust of children is a precious thing as they don’t hold onto it for so long these days. The way children look at the world is in wonder and amazement, they see things that us adults stopped seeing along time ago.
I would love to be able to see the world through a child’s eyes again. I do try and take the time to appreciate the wonder of things around us, but it’s not quite the same.
We can learn a lot from being around children, if only we took the time.
Thanks for hosting the SHINE blog hop.
Thanks Debbie! I’m delighted that you enjoyed this post. It was one of the first ones I wrote after turning my life over to God.
Wishing you a blessed day. Thanks for participating in the SHINE Blog Hop!
i looove this! it hits home, especially in the season i find myself in. you should listen to ‘a way to see in the dark’ by jason gray—> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SknuaeccQWo good stuff.
I’m delighted that you enjoyed this post Gen! I’ll have to watch that video. Thank you for sharing!
What a great article! I was reading Matthew 19:14 and was wondering what is it about children that make them more open to the things of God. Then I found your article. Thank you for making it simple enough that even a man can understand!
Dear Deliberate Mom,
Long story/short, I am desperately seeking God and weeping even now as I type this as I’m struggling with post-stroke depression and….it is d.a.r.k. in here.
But…God LIT this page up JUST for me!
Right. So, time to put on my beanie with the propeller/kids hat. I’m going to print the key points of this teaching out for meditation, NOW!
Things just got REAL in my life recently…therefore, time to get REAL CHILD-LIKE in my faith again!
GOD BLESS YOU!!!!
I am delighted that the Lord touched you through this post. Thank you for taking the time to share your testimony – God bless you, friend.