If you’ve given thought to that matter, consider the guidance provided in a letter written to a Church generations ago, “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
At first glance, that letter (written to a Church in Ephesus…a rather prideful church, Eph. 3:16-18) might clarify that there are those in this world who are not mature enough nor intellectually/spiritually prepared to comprehend the deeper nature of our relationship with Christ. If that is your deduction, then consider the following story:
A four-year-old girl was at the pediatrician’s office for a check-up. As the doctor looked into her ears with an otoscope, he asked, “Do you think I’ll find Big Bird in there?” Paying the doctor little attention, the little girl did not respond.
Next, the doctor…using a tongue depressor…looked down her throat. He asked, “Do you think I’ll find the Cookie Monster down there?” Appearing to regard the doctor’s remarks as a bit mundane, the little girl remained silent.
Finally, the doctor put a stethoscope to her chest. As he listened to her heart beat, he asked, “Do you think I’ll hear Barney in there?” Quite offended at this point, the little girl responded, “Oh no Mr. Doctor, Jesus is in my heart. Barney’s on my underpants.”
Amusing? Certainly. Impertinent? Not at all. Consider closely the little lady’s response; especially her final response. In her innocence, unencumbered by the constraints and complexities imposed by “intellectualism,” she expresses the absolute certainty regarding that spirit which lives in her heart. AND, most importantly, she is ready to proclaim His presence in her life; straight-forward and without fear. Are you that quick to respond?
Let me call your attention to that passage from Paul’s letter; to his earlier statement, “Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him.” He will make His home in your heart. Hmmm…His home -- your heart; His home is your heart. Is it? Really now…is it? Do you have the certainty of that little lady in the story? Are you prepared in an instant to claim it and proclaim it.
Look at the rest of Paul’s statement, “…as you trust in Him.” Probe a bit deeper into that soul that you desperately protect. Do you trust Him? Do you really? And, once again, do you claim it and proclaim it with the abandonment of that 4-year-old. It does require that, you know; self-abandonment that is.
Let’s look at the words of Jesus, “Let these children alone. Don't get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” (Luke 18:16-17) “The simplicity of a child;” where and how do we lose such vision…such trust? Such questions should not belabor out thoughts.
The embodiment of that simple faith is one of things to which I look forward each year, as I head out to one “New Purpose Retreat” (a Christian Camping program for people who are disabled) after another. Years ago, I went with intent to minister to those people; only to leave with the realization that they had ministered to me. Their simple trust…their strength in faith is most remarkable. Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when they come to Christ, they come as a child. They know God in a way that is difficult for we “mature adults” to grasp. At times, I actually find myself envying them.
In November of 2007, my father-in-law died rather suddenly. Early in the time of visitation, before open visitation began, members of the family were gathered around the casket. My 3-year-old (at the time) granddaughter tugged at my pants leg saying, “I want to see him.” After I picked her up, she looked for a few moments and remarked, “That’s my great granddad.” I could only say, “That’s right ‘sunshine,’ and you knew him well.” Later in that long evening, after I had accompanied another group of friends to the casket, I stood alone to gather my thoughts. Abbie, my granddaughter, once again tugged at my pants leg saying, “I want to see him again.” So, once again I picked her up, and she looked rather thoughtfully. This time she put her hand to her face, then looked back at me and said smiling, “He made God happy.” Choking back tears, I could only say, “Yes he did sweetheart.”
And, the children shall lead. Somehow, they know the secret of life. Beyond any sorrows of the past or fears of the future, she was content in the certainty that, because he made her happy…he must have certainly made God happy. Somehow she realizes, “…how wide, how long, how high, and how deep the love of Christ is.”
Unless we accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child…we’ll never understand the freedom…the peace that we can claim through Him. Let me close with the words of that Apostle, from a letter that he wrote to another church; one caught up in pride & arrogance, “Everything that we have, right thinking…right living, a clean slate and a fresh start…it all comes from God, by way of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:30)
Let’s find our contentment in being “one of His kids.” Claim & proclaim it.
