Childlike Faith

Last weekend, my sweet 7-year-old niece got baptized. My husband and I were chosen to be the Godparents, and we couldn’t be more honored and blessed! It was truly the most special day ever. We, alongside the rest of the family, got to witness this amazing little girl publicly declare her love for Jesus by making the decision to get baptized. 

What I will never forget was the smile she had from ear to ear during the entire ceremony. She was so full of joy, peace, and happiness! When we looked at her precious face, we knew that she felt God’s presence so near to her. It was as if nothing in the world could ruin this moment for her. 

I could just see it now: Jesus standing right there next to her, with tears coming down His face out of pure pride and joy for my sweet niece choosing to follow Him. In the Book of Matthew, Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me,” and that is exactly what she chose to do.

That day ignited an inspiration to us all. To see an amazing little girl have such a strong love for Jesus is incredibly encouraging. 

I’m reminded of Matthew 18 where Jesus talks about this “Childlike faith.” He tells us it’s important to humble ourselves as a little child and turn from our sinful ways. When I think about children, I think about how they look to their parents for everything. They believe them and depend on them, and boy, do they trust when their parents make a promise (especially the pinky promises!!) Children have a strong belief system; their imagination and faith have no restrictions. 

I believe this is what God is also calling us to do. A life where we can fully depend on God for everything, trust His promises, and believe in Him to take care of us, just as a parent takes care of their child. We need to increase our faith as big as the mountains and then some! We should have no limitations on what God can do because He can do anything! We can believe in this truth, just as a child believes with their whole heart. 

I also get the image of a wild horse. A wild horse cannot be fenced in, at least not easily, and our faith should not be fenced in either. It should have no restraint, no borders, and should exceed far beyond what we could ever think or imagine.

Journal Prompt:

What comes to mind when you think of “childlike faith?” Have you witnessed a child in your life exemplify this?

Ref: Psalms 116:6-7 NLT, Matthew 19:14