And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3

I know I’ve skipped a couple of weeks of WMD.  I have been cramming all the traveling and vacationing I can do in the last couple of weeks before I head back to work.  School seems to be starting back early as ever.  I have had the best time candlepin bowling in Boston, seeing those gigantic screens on the buildings in New York, and even being surprised that It was cold in Halifax in Nova Scotia (which they actually called a heat wave).

One thing that I have loved lately is that I have a renewed sense of childlike wonder.  Jesus tells us that we will not enter the kingdom unless we become like little children.  Children believe without limit, and they trust unconditionally.  I picture a mom making the best chocolate chip cookies.  I know when I was a kid, I’d just stare at them through the oven door.  In fact, I still do that.  I still burn myself on one every time because I don’t wait for them to cool off.  There is so much excitement and disbelief that ingredients can come together to make such a wonderful thing.  The anticipation while they are being prepared, the pure joy of watching them cook, and the capping off with them being enjoyed is crazy good.  

Jesus gave His life so that if we believe, we might have eternal life.  For those who believe, we are allowing God to bring all the ingredients together, even ones we don’t like, and assemble them in a way that will produce the best of us.  We know that our Lord and Master knows exactly what He is doing and when the heat is turned up in our lives that He is still working all things for our good.  We trust Him.  We know He loves us and not only meets our needs but allows us to enjoy the way He provides for us.  One sweet day, we will feast in Heaven and be with our Lord and Savior.  

All we have to do is put our trust in Him and believe.

For some reason, most people (me included) think that we must earn the salvation that Christ offers.  So many people believe that they must change before they come to the Lord.  Could anyone even imagine a kid telling mom, “I’ll clean my room and pick up my toys, so I’ll be worthy to eat just one of those cookies.”  That would never happen!  In a similar way, we should be excited to hear about heaven and that the Creator of the Universe wants to include us in His plans.  

Why aren’t we more excited about what He has done and what He is doing?  More than likely, we have simply grown wise in our own eyes.  We choose reason over faith.  The world we live in will never encourage faith over reason.

I finished watching House of David the other day.  By far, my favorite part was when David came and saw Goliath taunting Israel.  It had been going on for days and days.  David was incredulous that they’d stand there and do nothing.  Jonathan eventually tells him, “I’ve seen this giant, you can’t defeat him.”  

I love David’s response, “Am I the only one who believes the old stories?”

Let’s grow in trusting God with a childlike faith.

Lord, I don’t want to just say that I trust You.  I want to enjoy You.  I want to know that You are a million times more exciting and are preparing something of infinite value when compared to any temporary pleasure this world offers.  Help me place my entire existence into Your hand and believe with all my heart.  Help me trust You and believe the old stories.  The world behind me, the cross before me . . . no turning back.  No turning back.  Amen.