Seriously childlike
Why an adult brain gets in the way of being the adults we want to be
I want to be like a child.
God said to do so. And it sounds good.
I’m pretty sure everyone thinks so.
The one thing that progressives, conservatives, deconstructionists, evangelicals, anarchists and libertarians can all agree on. Childlikeness is desirable.
It’s a thing.
I’m just really bad at it. Assuming I even understand it. Which maybe I don’t.
I know I’m invited into it.
Matthew 19:13-15
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.
Jesus offers me all these invitations into a posture of ‘childlikeness’ and I just don’t really get it.
In some ways it seems to be a bit like trying really hard not to worry… I maybe create the thing I want to avoid?
Childlikeness… I mean it sounds good… but what is it? How do I do it?
Looking to the words of Jesus for what He meant can be madding for me in the application.
He says…
Mark 10:15
“I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
And…
Mark 9:36-37
Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
And…
Matthew 18:3-4
”I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Which paints a picture.
There’s a space where I need to recieve like a child.
There’s a space where I need to be innocent like a child.
There’s a space where I need to be humble like a child.
There’s a space where I need to receive those that are like children… (implied) even if I’m maybe missing it myself.
And that’s about it.1
And that’s beautiful… and I agree, sure.
But can I do it?
Can I actually do that?
I mean… just look at what I did here.
(Really)
I built a schematic and did research to define a clear methodology for what is or isn’t ‘childlike.’
(shrugging)
I went to multiple translations. I tried to understand the deeper meaning… staring intently at words like ‘humility’ and ‘sin’ and wondering what nuances I’m missing.
I went to language tools. You and I can both rest knowing that the Matthew 19 verse in the original Greek uses “παιδίον 2” for “child” over the more common “τέκνον 3.” Interestingly, it’s worth noting that the used term, “παιδίον” has a much more common association to mean ‘little children’ or ‘small children’ vs “τέκνον” which is much more likely to be generic and used more broadly.
Super helpful.
Does that sound very childlike?
I think I missed it.
I think I miss it a lot.
I have to start somewhere.
Having defined an entirely unchildlike understanding of what it is to be childlike… and starting from there… what now?
I have some thoughts.
Enthusiasm.
Wholehearted belief.
Easy belief.
Willingness to look silly.
Willingness to be silly.
Willingness to believe in adventure.
Willingness to try.
Willingness to cry.
Willingness to fall down.
But I don’t really know.
Either way, I’m trying to be better at all of those things.
Either way it seems like I have to try.
I have to be childlike.
What else can I do?
I guess, end of the day, for me, being childlike is a bit like being pure of heart.
I can’t really do it.
Maybe you can. Congratulations.
(Clapping)
The closest I get to ‘pure of heart’ is the moment I realize (again) that I don’t actually have it and go to God and ask for help.
I need Him to do it.
I need Him to help me believe He can do it.
Mark 9: 23-24
“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
And then do my best.
And it occurs to me to wonder… if that isn’t maybe what being childlike is actually all about?
Letting go and leaving the problem where it belongs, in God’s hands?
…it’s funny, but I always picture an adoring, quiet, sweet child when I read Jesus’ words.
It’s certainly what gets communicated in most teaching on the subject.
What if that’s incomplete?
What if He was thinking bigger than that?
What if He had managed to consider all the picked noses and outbursts in his assessment?
What if the scared, hungry, and frightened child that is all-in in their dependence to an adult human to fix things was just as much the point?
What if this is just as much about our dependence on God? Our raw and recognized need?
What if the Sunday school image we all share with a sunny sky and smiling children is just that, an image?
What if it was raining and the kids were screaming, a hard day, with the disciples all doing their best?
What if?
Wouldn’t that be interesting?
All scripture referenced is NLT unless otherwise noted. I prefer NLT for postural discussion as it is both reasonably rigorous while retaining a conversational tone.
For study I strongly encourage the use of original language tools, multiple translations, and rigorous critical thought.
Please remember that when you read the Bible in English you are always reading someone else’s theological interpretation of the text.
There’s a fair amount of parallels with slightly varied text and posture but that’s it in essence. Please, by all means dive into the text and tools and find out!
παιδίον. https://biblehub.com/greek/3813.htm