Faith. I’m not talking about just a belief in God. I’m talking about that “just knowing” way down deep in your soul that knows Jesus’ heart, and because of that, looks at life and its many ups and downs with eager anticipation and trust.
That faith that allows us to go out of our comfort zones into unknown territory unafraid. That enables us to risk our own pride for the sake of others. That helps us forgive the unforgivable, love the unlovable and touch the untouchable. Faith that sees beyond the obvious and looks deeper and more closely because it understands that Jesus has a plan.
Jesus saw that type of faith in children. They came to Him fully open, trusting, unafraid, eager to hear His words and feel His touch. And what did they receive when they came to Him just as they were? His arms embracing them. His spoken blessing on their lives.
Mark 10:13-16 – People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “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.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
As we become adults, we tend to trap ourselves and our faith in boxes, with the lids on tight. We only allow ourselves and our love and our faith to stay within those boundaries because of fear. Fear of failure, hurt, disappointment. Fear is the lid that traps us in that box.
But kids don’t yet have a box. Life has not yet caused them to fear. And so they have no lid. The sky is their limit. In their exuberance, in their trust and in their faith. When they pray, they do it trusting completely that they will receive an answer. Doubt is not yet on their radar. Even if they don’t fully know Jesus yet, they trust Him and His heart. They don’t play games. They just come as they are – honest, real and ready to see God do His thing.
When Jesus was on earth, He was constantly asking people for their trust, their faith in Him, to experience who He really was. To know His heart, experience His power and witness His personal activity in their lives. When He healed people (Mark 9:23 – “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”), when He did miracles (Mark 4:40 – He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”) and when He appeared to people after giving His life for them (John 20:29 – Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”).
Jesus wants to take off our lids and show us the sky. Remove the fear that keeps us from experiencing the supernatural of who He is. His love can do that – 1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear… When we know His love, fear falls back and faith flourishes. Our eyes begin to adjust to the new light of a life without lids. Where possibilities and miracles and changed lives happen. The open sky of faith in a God who has no limits and who wants to help us to fly….
