About 2-3 years ago, my mom organized me and my sister a surprise birthday party where all my friends and family were invited. Obviously, the surprise was a success. And the whole evening, even in the following days, the question that remained for my entourage was: “You really didn’t know? How was I not suspicious of anything happening? How did my mom convince me?” And every time, my answers were the same. “I really didn’t know” and “It’s my mom, I trust her.” As simple as that. So undeniably, whatever she was telling me, I would just do. 

Not in a stupid or blind way as if I didn’t have a mind of my own, but in the position of a child who knows her parents. And this is exactly what the Bible says. It tells us to have a child-like faith.

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3

A child is not suspicious of his parents when they tell them to do or not do something. Children don’t spend their time questioning each and every move of their parents and demand accountability and reports from them. Or requesting to know why a thing should be a certain way or only setting at a certain time.

Don’t get me wrong. It is okay to have questions and to wonder. But there is a huge difference between asking God, and interrogating God. And this is where faith and trust come into action. Trusting God, trusting your Heavenly Father even if you cannot see it yet or simply don’t understand it.

If I take again the example of the surprise party, when my mom was getting me ready for it she told me we were going to a wedding. My only questions were when and who’s wedding. And my intention with those questions was to assert better for what type of wedding I needed to get ready for and to add it to my calendar.

A child of God who knows their identity but mostly who knows their Heavenly Father and his character, his goodness, his faithfulness and his integrity doesn’t need to know all the details of God’s promises. God is the God who never failed you, so why would He fail now?

A lot have faith in God and yet lack trust in Him. However the Bible says it clearly: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)” To trust is to be able to rely on God, it is to put weight behind that faith.

In a way, faith is about being still. Being right where God placed you. And it is also to move, when He says it’s time to move.

Many don’t understand what it means to have a child-like faith. Yet, it is very simple. It means to believe. Children have this ability to believe without trying to be in control. This ease in believing might be because they don’t carry life experiences of betrayals, abuses and whatnot, therefore whatever they’re told, they believe… Look at how easy it was for us to believe in Santa Claus, the tooth fairy or unicorns. Not only because it was easy to believe, but also because we wanted to believe.

Lately, I have been observing children a lot. Whether children in my entourage or the kids at church or even kids in TV shows. And one thing I’ve noticed in most of them is their carelessness, insouciance, or unconcern. When they come to you, they really come for you or what they want. And when I say they come for what they want, I don’t mean this in a greedy way, but in a way where they don’t pretend or perform for your love or for that thing that they want. They don’t feel the need to audition and feel worthy of whatever they are asking for, because they genuinely believe in the goodness of their mother or father, the generosity of their brother or sister, or the kindness of whoever they might encounter. And they also know their position. They don’t try to earn their way towards their caregiver, or towards God, in order to get what they want. They simply come as they are and ask.

For example, there was this one episode of The Chosen where two children were playing around near the place where Jesus was staying, then they saw Him and He had bread. Naturally, they wanted some of it, so they approached Jesus, not knowing who he was, and asked for some bread. They didn’t necessarily want to talk to Him, though they asked some questions out of curiosity. They sensed that He was kind, and it was all they needed to know. They wanted the food, so they came for the food. They were not ashamed of asking, their intention was pure. There was no second guessing or over analysis of whether or not they were worthy of asking for the bread. Or trying to sanctify their way into getting this bread. And this is why we need to have this child-like faith. A simple heart. Hebrews 4:16 says it so beautifully: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Some different versions say to come “with confidence”, “with assurance”, “without fear”, and this is how we ought to approach our Father. No child is afraid to approach their parents.

Another thing that truly amazed me was how children are not afraid to make mistakes. And neither are they to hear the word “no”, they might not like it, but they’re not afraid of it. In fact, they’re not even afraid to ask again even after a “no”.

I remember a time I was teaching in the kids ministry and we asked the children a question and one of the kids raised his hand so fast to answer. And the answer he gave us was wrong and not biblically correct, we then proceeded to explain to him how his answer was wrong. Then other kids tried to answer and no one was getting it. Yet, that same kid again and again was raising his hand to try. He was not afraid to show up because he had made a mistake or got an answer wrong. He did not go into hiding because of shame or pride. He was not thinking of what he might look like. And this is where we lost the plot, because often as adults we get so lost into ourselves that we forget that it’s not even about us to begin with.

Children don’t complicate things, they really come just as they are. 

This is why God says to have a childlike faith. The Lord wants us to be near Him and always be willing to learn, grow, be challenged as well as being willing to make mistakes, to not have it right and to be corrected without feeling some type of way because of it. To just be so welcoming and open to what God brings to us regardless of the form, the way He does it. Because sometimes we get caught up in that. In the fact that it didn’t look or came the way we thought it would. Do not bind yourself with a set of rules. Do not be afraid to make mistakes or to try new things.

So today, I invite you to let go of all the strongholds, of all the mentalities and rituals, and principles that you may be holding on to. Those things that have you thinking there is a specific, religious, cold-hearted way to do the things of God and to approach Him. Because all He wants is you and your heart. His desire is for you to simply approach Him like this child that still lives within you, for you to come to Him knowing He is your Father. 

Let Him take the lead! Trust Him and enjoy this ride, this journey together. Because His plans for you are of good and not evil, to prosper you and give you hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Have this childlike faith where you’re able to simply believe.

Be blessed!

HLL