Living with Childlike Faith
There is a difference between childlike faith and immature faith.
Childlike faith delights in the relationship of being a child of God and abiding in Him.
Immature faith makes the relationship all about us.
Childlike faith believes God can do anything.
Immature faith thinks God has to do what we want.
Childlike faith vulnerably expresses emotion before God without filtering or stuffing
Immature faith tries to manipulate God with emotions.
Childlike faith is mature faith.
Please know that there are no judgments here amiga. When I ponder these difficult thoughts, I begin with my own heart and where I am before God. No matter how long we have been walking with Jesus, there are times when we can regress. You moms will know what a regression is like. When the baby finally gets into a solid 7 hours of sleep and then one night, fusses into the wee hours. Usually, there is a reason behind regressions. For a baby, it could be recent shots or a growth spurt. For us, it could be what we have been consuming in our minds, being unrepentant about something, obtaining unwise counsel, or simply experiencing deep discouragement.
Whatever the reason, the beauty is that we can overcome because we have grace. God reveals our regressions and immaturities not to condemn us but to renew us. Spiritual maturity is not found in always getting it right, but in always returning to the one who makes all things right. The very essence of maturity is that it takes time to develop and that it is ever developing. There is safety in admitting to God the ways that we may fall short, and abundant love in Him sets us back on course.
Amiga, I am praying for us all to be wholly childlike and wholly mature in our faith.
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.
Matthew 18:2-4
