4 Steps to Staying Childlike
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And He said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18:1-5
God wants us to become like little children, not childish, but childlike. I think being childlike may be easier for Kid’s Church volunteers because we love to have fun and see kids in action every week. But even as people called to Kid’s Ministry we can lose our playfulness if we don’t find ways to reconnect to those childlike characteristics Jesus was talking about.
What does it mean to be childlike? We need to be…
Trusting: having a belief in a person’s honesty or sincerity without suspicion. We believe in God because He is trustworthy. Proverbs 3:5 & 6 says to, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.’
Transparent: frank, honest, innocent and straight forward. Psalm 139 says, ‘You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.’ There’s no need to hide, God’s knows us. We can let Him know what we know about ourselves. Only transparency with God will bring us lasting joy and freedom.
Carefree: relaxed and untroubled. Being carefree means no time for worry and anxiety. Jesus himself told us not to worry. ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?’
Insistent: persistent, unrelenting, unwavering and not take no for an answer. We all know how persistent and unrelenting kids can be when they want something. Matthew 77-12 says, ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find’ knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.’
Spontaneous: having an open, natural and uninhibited manner or being unprompted, unplanned or impromptu. God is the God of ‘suddenly’. You’ll read it in the Bible over and over. Acts 9:3: Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
Imaginative: being creative, inventive, resourceful, enterprising and ingenious. Sounds like most Kid’s Church volunteers I know but there’s none so creative as God. Genesis 1:26-27 says: Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earl. So God created…’ God also sent His son Jesus to show us what it looks like to live a life in the image of God.
Joyful: cheerful, jolly, merry, bright and sunny. It’s more important to be full of joy rather than just happy which is an emotion. We can have joy no matter what is going on in our lives. So focus on loving others and loving God. ‘Because in His presence is fullness of joy’ (Psalm 16:11). Joy is also a fruit of the Spirit. It’s a product of the Holy Spirit growing character in our lives. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.’ Galatians 5:22-23.
What steps can I take to become childlike again?
Step 1: Play
It’s not just for kids. It’s good for you, too. Play relieves stress and boosts your creativity. It can make you feel like a kid again. It’s not a waste of time.
Step 2: Be curious
Curiosity is taking an active interest in something or genuinely wanting to know more. It allows you to embrace unfamiliar circumstances and stops life from becoming boring. So stimulate your mind and ask lots and lots of questions about all kinds of things.
Step 3: Find a creative outlet
Everyone is creative. What did you enjoy when you were a child? Expressing yourself creatively elevates your mood and alleviates anxiety. It keeps you cheerful and energized.
Step 4: Have a laugh
Laughter is the best medicine. (Proverbs 17:22) It makes you feel good, is fast working, and boosts your immune system. Laughter helps you relieve stress and remain positive and optimistic. Sharing a laugh with others is even better for you. Children laugh hundreds of times a day so it’s no wonder we’re to be more like them.
Being childlike is an attractive way to live and especially important in our work ministering to children. So if you’re feeling old fashioned, obsolete or timeworn, follow the 4 easy steps. You’re never too old become childlike.