faith like a child

There is a man I know who lives in the heart of west Texas. His face is aged like a skiff after many years at sea. He is a quiet soul with a roaring spirit. Life exudes from him and he carries joy like one would carry a torch. He is the type of man that breathes integrity and has wisdom spewing from his ears. He has worked in the prisons. He has worked in the shelters. He has worked with the convicts, the drug addicts, the broken and the hopeless. But this was all years before I met him. Our paths crossed about a year ago at a coffee shop in Holmes County. At the time, he was housing and discipling young Amish men who left the Amish church and had been excommunicated from their families.

The first thing I noticed about him was the youth in his eyes. His eyes radiated life and youth. It struck me by surprise to see such youth and winsomeness in a man in his 60's. As I got to know him, I began to see what it was that lied behind his poise, behind his quiet confidence, behind his smile. And then I heard him pray. When he prays, he prays from the depths of his heart. He prays with the faith of a child.

In Mark 10, the crowds were bringing children to Jesus. The text says that the disciples rebuked the children from coming to Jesus. Jesus's response is baffling. "But when Jesus saw it (the disciples rebuke), 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. And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them." Mark 10:14-16

It is clear that God desires that we have faith like a child. Faith without question. Faith without hesitance. Faith that is unhindered by doubt and fear. Faith that has full confidence and trust in the Word of God. If I have ever met a man who has faith like this, it is the man in west Texas. I talked to him about an hour ago. The last thing he said to me before he hung up was "man, I wanna be just like you when I grow up." I just laughed.




Lord, give me faith like a child. May I trust in your Word without question. Help me overcome my unbelief.

JN