Faith Like a Child

What does it mean to have faith like a child? A few weeks ago, I was with my friends and their two-year-old daughter, Margot. I followed Margot to the front of an elementary school gymnasium. She climbed several steps, stood on the stage, and then jumped into my arms. This was her favorite pastime.

At that moment, I realized what it meant to have faith like a child. There was no doubt in Margot’s mind that I would catch her. Most children have this type of trust and faith in their parents. Our heavenly Father is the perfect embodiment of this principle. He has always caught us and still does. By understanding the heart of God our Father, we draw closer to Him.

I sometimes wonder why God bothered to create humans at all. He knew that we were fallible and would make mistakes, but it was worth it. For the joy set before him, God created us and sent His son to redeem us. Why does any good parent have a child? One reason is to have a relationship with that child. That is our heavenly Father’s heart.

In Matthew 18, the disciples ask Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. To answer, Jesus places a child among them and says, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3). How God defines greatness is in contrast with how the world defines it. This is why the apostle Paul said, "I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant."  (Galatians 1:10).

Greatness in the eyes of God is a complete dependency upon Him. The child is great because she has faith that the father will catch her. The Prodigal Son is great because he returns to the father instead of relying on his own strength. By the world’s standards, children were of little importance. Their contribution to society was minimal. But children are humble examples of reliance, confidence, and trust, and that is what makes them great.

When I hear “faith like a child” I often think of the 1994 song by Jars of Clay.

They say that I can move the mountains / And send them falling to the sea

They say that I can walk on water / If I would follow and believe / With faith like a child

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