Living Lessons: August 7, 2011: Like a Child

Jesus the Christ had a marvelous way of conveying deep spiritual truths by using stories and object lessons from the living world around Him.  As we endeavor to draw people to the foot of the cross, let us enjoy this effective style of sharing by following His example.  Read and then enjoy crafting a living lesson of your own!

Like a Child:

A million minus five?  While riding to the church building with our two wonderful kids in our swagger wagon (that’s minivan for those unfamiliar with urban lingo) Gabriel asked another one of those questions that evoke a smile and a moment of concentration.  “Daddy, what’s a million minus five?” Gabriel asked while I was navigating cumbersome curves between cornfields.  “Nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-five,” wasn’t as easy to produce in reply as you’d think.  With Gabriel’s curiosity placated for the moment, we enjoyed asking him a little subtraction practice on the way to worship service.

We smile at the innocence and frequency of these questions from little children, yet God draws a parallel from them to us in Matthew 19:14 “Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.” Children have the innate ability to ask questions about everything.  The deep desire to acquire knowledge astounds and confounds many parents, yet the drive in these children persists.  God desires for us to be like children in this way as well.  What’s your curiosity level concerning spiritual things?  Do we read with a burning desire to know our God more?  Do we seek the wisdom of those Christians gone before us to know the ways we ought to live in God’s sight?  Our good Father always has answers to our questions ready to be delivered in His good time.

“For I desired mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” - Hosea 6:6