Mark 10:13-16 (Common English Bible) People were bringing children to Jesus so that he would bless them. But the disciples scolded them. When Jesus saw this, he grew angry and said to them, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.” Then he hugged the children and blessed them. My childhood is filled with trust walks, falls, and group building exercises meant to grow trust within the group. I remember quiet a few of those experiences would end in bruises, bumps, and small cuts when someone would accidently get dropped or walked into a pole. After concluding the activity some counselor director or minister would sit us down and talk about faith in God. I would silently question the connection because it gave the illusion that blind faith only led to a major headache. When I became the counselor, director and minister I learned trust exercises were really less about the connection and more about filling up empty space in between activities.
When it comes to actual blind leaps of faith our perceptions can keep us perched on the ledge. We only have a human understanding of relationships. Therefore, when we consider 'letting go and letting God' we sometimes remember moments we put our trust in a person and that person became distracted, forgetful, jealous, or something else and we just ended up with a big headache. We cannot understand when God wants us to take the leap there is perfect focus and support. If it is God's will there will always be something there to catch us when we leap. I have a confession to make, when I was a child my faith was clearer. I would be like a leaf on the breeze and freely lept when I felt God's call to do so. My faith was only dependent on myself; today I have a husband and two kids. Leaping is now a group effort. It muddies up the water a little. In a way my faith has turned into a three-legged race. Faith becomes a cooperative effort. I have recently learned the trick to this three-legged race: don't forget where the finish line is. As adults we make our connections to people and things allowing ourselves to be pulled in other directions. We lose track of where we were initially heading. Keeping our childlike faith is keeping our focus on the goal. The only difference between healthy childlike faith, and adult faith is you are not leaping alone. If this sounds scary or overwhelming... well, that is usually the feeling the called have before somehow they get the message, "Don't be afraid." |
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