The Faith of a Child
Then Jesus said, “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." ~ Matthew 18:3 (NLT)
So I am teaching at a Bible camp this week.
54 animated, and sometimes antsy, 8 to 10 year-olds gather for Bible class twice a day (see above pic).
My teaching partner, Pastor Scott, and I have been covering the basics and praying the kids are soaking it all in. Meanwhile, the Master Teacher, God, is making sure that we adults are learning as well!
As Scott and I sat on a porch by the camp's main courtyard this afternoon a nine year-old boy excitedly ran over to us with a story share.
It seems he was afraid to go down the slide at the camp's pool. It was tall and windy, so he wanted no part of it...until he was reminded of something--Jesus loves Him and is with Him.
Armed with this knowledge, he courageously climbed the ladder. Positioning himself at the top of the slide, he prayed, "Jesus I know you are with me and You will help me."
Down he went.
"And it was A LOT of fun!" He finished, before running off to tell someone else.
I instantly thought, "How many 'grown-up' things do I go through with fear, anxiousness, and dred? How often do I shy away from tackling huge issues because they seem insurmountable?"
Instead of climbing the ladder, I leave the pool, grab my towel, and go home.
But I was taught something today. When gripped with fear or worry or anxiousness, I don't need to shrink away. I can climb...in fact, I can soar because Jesus loves me and He is with me.
And guess what? Jesus loves you and is with you too! So start climbing!
