Child-like Faith

Remember when as a kid, in child-like faith you would climb aboard a friend’s handlebars and fearlessly let them give you a ride around town. Your hands gripping the bars beneath you; your legs dangling freely. Now as an adult, in need of the feeling of control and calculation, we carefully climb aboard our own comfortable bicycle seat, steering the direction of where we want to go. This past 4^th of July weekend I witnessed one of the potential perils of trusting someone else as we sit upon the handlebars. Two girls joyfully riding along approached a stop light at a busy intersection on Coronado Island. The teenage girls seemed to be going straight through the intersection despite the many cars around; when at the very last second the bicycle came to an abrupt stop, sending the handlebar rider flying off. Fortunately she was unharmed as they were both laughing at the sudden event. It is precisely for this reason that we prefer to be in command of our own bicycle ride and rely on our own decision making. It just feels like the safer choice and often times this is true… with one major exception.

Jesus tells us to come to Him with child-like faith. Imagine that carefree, trusting faith that enabled you to climb onto the handlebars and trust your friend to drive you around. Remember the joy and laughter that you shared as you navigated the town together. This is what Jesus wants to share with us. How I want to climb on the handlebars and let Jesus pedal; He does the hard work as we explore together. Jesus never stops short, sending me flying through the air into oncoming traffic. I pray for child-like faith to jump onto the handlebars today!

Luke 18:15-17   People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “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.