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To take someone or something at face value means we believe or accept what is said or placed before us. We do not have any suspicions, nor do we look for hidden meanings or ulterior motives. This is how a young child is when they are in awe of their parents — they want to be exactly like their mother or father — they desire most earnestly to imitate them, and they listen intently, absorbing as much as they possibly can with focussed attention down to the last minute (pronounced my-noot) detail. Children want to be with their parents all the time; they do not want sporadic “quality” time because children need as much time as they can have in order to know their parents and be like them through replication, and to be taught in all matters pertaining to life.
To be childlike with that wide eyed innocence gazing intently at their mother or father is positively beautiful to behold — it is to be highly valued and commended as long as we, as adults, balance this with wisdom, carefully passing everything through the filter of the Bible, in order to emulate our ultimate role model, Jesus the Christ and God the Father. The apostle Paul explained it so well in 1 Corinthians 14:20. His summative approach confirms that we are to purposefully select the best from a childlike attitude.
Why is it so hard for so many to do this? Could pride be a factor, getting in the way of being open and honest? Perhaps some see being childlike as foolish, vulnerable, too trusting, gullible, or even ripe for deception. They would be wrong because of imbalanced thoughts, concentrating on the negative rather than the positive, for the positives far outweigh any negatives. A deep, richly nourishing relationship with God ensures that we listen attentively and put His instruction into practice. We do not focus on our selfish desires, but rather fill up on Christ in order to absorb His example set before us, knowing and understanding that it is not about ourselves and therefore our pride should be set aside and managed.
Think back to when you were of very tender years and up to about 7 of age. I can remember getting excited over little things like a friend coming over to play or being able to visit their place, which was even more exciting! Going on an outing to the park, having a picnic, feeding ducks, splashing in puddles on a rainy day, having an ice block, swimming at the pool or beach, going to the movies, getting to stay up a little later in school holidays, playing chase or hide and seek, and any number of other things that would suddenly put a spring in my step, smile on my face, and give me a surge of energy in eagerness of anticipation to engage in any of these activities. Like all children I so wanted to please my parents and thought they were the best parents in the world. They were “the world” to me...my world.
Children are known to have loads of energy and engage willingly and fully until they are absolutely exhausted. Most adults can definitely relate to this aspect by the end of each day now that many years have gone by and the ageing process accumulates. We do get tired and worn out just by working and including things we must do let alone any recreational type of activity, with often abandoning such notions. It can seem like such a stretch to remember many things from our childhood but I think we can all capture the essence of what it is like to be childlike as we were all once there. We only need to observe a young child and indeed many congregations are blessed with children — it truly is a sheer delight just watching how they interact with others. The joy, the laughter, excited squeals of enthusiasm while playing or responding to others, the trusting gaze and openness of a giving, believing heart, all capture the essence of what it is to be childlike.
Having A Childlike Heart
We know if we are to be childlike we must be trusting that God will help us, be there for us no matter what is ahead, even in the time of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7). God tells us that He will never leave us (Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 3:6, Hebrews 13:5). Do we really believe it? A child will without any reservation believe it!
We read and listen to His Word by absorbing instruction and subsequently put it into practice because we want to be exactly like our Father, our Dad, our Daddy whom we run to as a high tower of strength (Psalm 18:2, Proverbs 18:10). We continually reflect on what we have learned, revise, assess and glean valuable wisdom from His teaching. Quite frankly a young child is never quite satisfied...they want everything from their parents including time, attention, love, and engaging in all manner of family pursuits. The parent will give as much as they can physically in order to love them. Our Heavenly Father is always able to give to us spiritually no matter the time of our need or desire. He has already provided for our physical needs by our seeking first His Kingdom (Matthew 6:33) and we are profoundly and deeply grateful.
As God’s children we go to Him daily in prayer telling Him everything that is in our heart that day or in that moment of time in order to “Come now, let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18). And then we continually pray or talk to God without ceasing to maintain that amazing connection and to include Him in everything we do because we cannot bear any separation, not even the slightest (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Children love to tell their parents everything, often bursting with tidbits of non important news. Do we tell our Father everything, even though we know He sees all? (Hebrews 4:13). None of what we share with our Heavenly Father is uninteresting to Him. He always listens patiently to our ramblings because we are so willing to share.
While studying about being childlike one of the Psalms came to my attention on this matter. It is rather a short one written by David which I have not really noticed before except at face value. Psalm 131 reads as follows: “Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forever”. David understood what it was like to be childlike even though he was a King and a mighty warrior. He opened his heart up to God in simplicity of sharing all in humility and developing a clean heart. This example also reminds me of those mentioned in Acts 2:40-47 who shared everything altruistically in simplicity of heart at the time of Pentecost and thereafter.
As a tribute to all those who are unable, for whatever reason, to express themselves through prose and poetry, here is an offering composed and created from a childlike heart eagerly willing to please our Father. In the same spirit that we, God’s children, have been given, let us continue to hold fast and keep the simplicity of Christ in our hearts forever (2 Corinthians 11:2-4) always mindful of the spoken words of Jesus Christ in Luke 18:17 “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Simple Childlike Faith
To have faith like a child,
without fear or doubt
where the Word of God
can establish and sprout.
Blessed with a heart,
where joy and peace live
radiating innocence
readily willing to give.
To develop childlike faith,
in purity and love
faith that is enduring
increased from above.
Blessed with an attitude,
humble and teachable
with a submissive mind
hungry and reachable.
To have a clean heart,
always willing to obey
that immediately follows
without wanting its way.
O LORD bless my soul,
hear always my cry
hold and keep me close
as the apple of your eye.
To have faith like a child,
always thankful with praise
repentant and devoted
until the end of my days.
Blessed be all children,
when You return to earth
to establish Your Kingdom
overflowing with mirth.
To have simple faith,
is the greatest of all
when the first shall be last
and the last, first call.
Blessed with no guile,
nor arrogance at all
haughtiness not, knowing
pride comes before a fall.