In a recent message I preached called
"Remember The Basics", I emphazized the
importance of returning often to the
fundamental truths of our faith. We are
called to grow and mature, but never to
"grow" such that we are led away from the
simple and unchanging truth: God loves us
so much that He provided a way to restore a
right relationship with Him through faith in
His Son. Jesus died so we could live! Does
this awesome act of love still amaze us, or
have we "matured" to more "important"
matters?
Matthew 18:3 "And He said: 'I tell you the
truth, unless you change and become like
little children, you will never enter the
kingdom of heaven.'"
When my daughter was four years old, I read
her the story of young Samuel. While
discussing this story, my daughter showed
me the excited faith God wants us to
maintain.
As a young boy, Samuel was ministering with
an old priest named Eli. One night God called
to Samuel, but Samuel thought it was Eli's
voice. Eli said he didn't call and told Samuel
to go back to bed. After God called a few
more times, Samuel realized Who was calling
and answered: "Speak, for Your servant is
listening" (1 Samuel 3:10). God then gave
Samuel a message - but the message was all
about Eli.
My daughter asked, "Why did God speak to
Samuel if the message was really to Eli?" We
talked about how we must be ready and
willing to hear God. I said Eli may have had
some problems or distractions in his life
which kept him from hearing God, so God
spoke His message through a child. I said
little kids (like her) can often hear God better
than old people (like me).
"But, I don't hear God talk to me," she said,
with a little disappointment in her voice. I
explained how God doesn't usually speak so
we can hear Him with our ears; rather, His
Spirit speaks to our heart and we hear Him
as we listen to our heart. Her little eyes
widened, "Like today when I was going to sit
on one of the baby toys - Jesus told my heart
I was too big and shouldn't do it so I
listened to what He said."
I encouraged her that this is exactly how God
speaks to us, we just need to learn how to
listen and then obey. My daughter thought
for a moment and then slowly shook her
head in amazement: "Wow! That's sooooo
cool!!"
Heavenly Father, I pray that Your Word never
becomes just an interesting collection of
stories. You created us, loved us, and will
one day call us Home to be with You for all
eternity - and Father, that's sooooo cool!!
Help us to come into Your presence with a
thankful and loving heart. Strengthen our
faith every day and allow us to continually
look on You and Your wonders with a
childlike amazement.
- ST