And this child survived…

I just saw this quote on Twitter by Jefferson Bethke (@JeffersonBethke): “a creative adult is a child that survived”. It reminds me of what Jesus said in the Bible: “Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all]” (Matt 18:3 Amplified Bible).
For a lot of people, life has left them bitter and broken, unable to trust anyone, much less forgive wrongs done. Love is a far-fetched thing for them. “It’s a jungle out there…so you gotta be a tiger in order to survive”… “It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there”…these are the words of those who have allowed the hurts of this world to harden the soft, loving Jesus-sized space in them called a heart.

Jesus knew what He was saying when He asked us to be like children. God’s love needs that open-hearted, childlike heart, where there’s trust and love and the belief that all things indeed work together for good, just as it is in His Word (Rom 8:28).

I have met people who believe you put away childish things when you become an adult (1 Cor 13:11), and yes, I agree with them on that. But that passage did not mention putting away a childlike attitude and outlook to life, which is what was referred to in Matt 18:3. I know that God’s Word never contradicts itself.

I’m not saying we should live in denial and turn a blind eye to all the depraving things happening in this world. No. I know that there are wicked people who would go to any length to inflict hurt and pain, especially on little children. I know that not everyone is Goody Two-Shoes. I know that some people will rather stab you in the back, for no just cause. I know that.
But I also know that God’s Word is yea and amen, and that He has said I shall not be hurt (See Psalms 91; that’s some beautiful Scripture). I know that He is the Lord strong and mighty, who watches over His own. I know that I am protected and preserved from wicked and unreasonable men (2 Thess 3:1-3). I know that for every bad person out there, there are more good people. I know that I can still succeed inspite of challenging opposition. I know that forgiving people helps my heart, not them. I know that I am the love-child of a love-God.

Like the quote above says: “a creative adult is a child who survived”, the child within survived the harsh realities of growing up and still kept that true hunger to know more, to experiment and explore endless possibilities. That’s what God did when He created the earth. He saw something beautiful where there was nothing at all. We’re made in His image, so we create as well: ideas, carvings, recipes, you name it, every creation is us acting like God our Father.

Now why did I choose to write about this? It’s because I’ve always remained a child in the innermost recesses of my heart. A pastor once said that in each and everyone us, there is still that little child of five, that little toddler, that fresh adolescent. For me, it’s very true, and I wouldn’t wish it anyway else. Some people actually say it to my face that I don’t act grown up. I don’t care. If being grown up means living as if I don’t know that God loves me more than I could ever love myself; if being grown up means always looking over my shoulder to see who’s out to hurt me; if living that kind of life (where you’re afraid of taking a bold step toward your happiness and destiny because you fear the unknown) is being grown up, then I’d rather remain a child, resting assured in my Father’s love for me, for the Name of the Lord is indeed a strong tower (Prov 18:10). I’d rather be God’s baby (ever in His Presence) than act all grown up (and defenceless) before the devil.

My point exactly: let God’s Word have root in your heart. His Word may seem like foolishness to man, but it’s actually wiser than men (1 Cor 1:25). Don’t let the cares of this world strip you of the joy of growing in God’s Word that’s new every morning. As it is written in the Scriptures: “Keep (guard) thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

I hereby rest my case. Think upon these things, my friend. May God bless you.

Cheers.

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