Let’s head out on the trail for today and learn 4 things we can learn from a child.
Due to job changes with our oldest son and his wife, we have had the privilege of investing about 7 weeks with their son Kip over the past couple of months. Adding a very curious 7-year-old to our daily routine, along with 4 of his cousins who live close coming over occasionally, we are reminded once again how much we can still learn from children.
Being an adult can be difficult. You need to be genuinely disciplined, which requires that you develop the ability to take action. You don’t need to be too hasty or frantic, but you also don’t want to waste much time. Don’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed by things or events that may never take place. You should look at life simplistically without being simple-minded. You can only control yourself and a few situations, so there is no sense fretting over the rest.
As we consider our trail today, let’s keep in mind the innocence of children and the words of Jesus in Mark 10:13-16, “One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’ Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.”
This is a major consideration for adults. Be like children and remember there are four ways to be more like a child no matter how old you get…
1. Curiosity
Be curious; embrace childish curiosity. What will kids do if they want to know something bad enough? You’re right. They will bug you. Kids can ask a million questions. You think they’re through, and then they’ve got another million. They will keep plaguing you. They can drive you right to the brink.
Kids use their curiosity to learn. Have you ever noticed that while adults are stepping on ants, children are studying them? A child’s curiosity is what helps them to reach, learn, and grow.
2. Excitement
Learn to get excited like a child. There is nothing that has more magic than childish excitement – so excited that you hate to go to bed at night, that you can’t wait to get up in the morning, that you’re about to explode…How can anyone resist that kind of childish magic?
Now, once in a while, I meet someone who says, “Well, I’m a little too mature for all that childish excitement.” Isn’t that pitiful? You’ve got to weep for these kinds of people. All I’ve got to say is, “If you’re too old to get excited, you’re too old.” Don’t let yourself get that old.
3. Faith
Faith is childish. How else would you describe it? Some people say, “Let’s be adult about it.” Oh, no, no. Adults too often have a tendency to be overly skeptical. Some adults even have a tendency to be cynical.
Adults say, “I am too logical to believe there is a God, who created everything – there is too much scientific proof to the contrary.” See, that’s what an adult would say, but kids aren’t that way. They look at the world and everything around them and say, “How could there not be a God, who created all things, from the tiniest bug to the tallest mountains. From the smallest snowflake to the stars that span the sky, how could you consider these without knowing that there is a great God that created all things, including me!”
Adults have the tendency to fall into the category of Romans 1:18 where the Apostle Paul writes, “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” Children will believe Romans 1:19-20, “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
4. Trust
Trust is a childish virtue, but it has great merit. Have you heard the expression “sleep like a baby”? That’s it. Childish trust. We need to have that same trust in God. When we do, we have no need to fear anything in life. As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Curiosity, excitement, faith, and trust. That is a powerful combination to bring (back) into our lives. Let me ask you the question, “Can you become like a child again?” If you implant curiosity, excitement, faith, and trust in your life, you will see the world through new eyes. If you do these regardless of your physical age, you will be forever young.
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