Child-Like Faith

Passage

"But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 19:14 (NKJV)

Pondering

Early this morning we received the news that one of our church members,Jack, had passed away and gone to be with the Lord. This is getting to be more of a regular event as our church grows larger. However, this time it gripped our hearts a bit more than usual as this brother died at the age of only 28 and had been a good friend of ours for about ten years, joining the cell group in our house for many of those years.

Though he was 28 Jack had a medical condition that caused many complications in his body and cause him to have the mind of a small child. The last few years of his life he was wheel-chair bound but he was not bound in his spirit! Yes, he was often childish, even throwing tantrum when not getting his way. But I will remember him for his simple childlike faith. He sang like an angel with joy and passion in our cell group and prayed with even more fervour.

One time our fan had broken down in the living room where we have our cell meetings. Jack rolled confidently up to the fan in his wheel chair and laid hands on the fan and prayed "Be healed in the name of Jesus!" Immediately the fan started working again.

Do we have faith in God like a child or have we grown more "mature" (this should read cynical)?. Let us learn from Jack and enjoy our relationship with Daddy God, coming to Him as a child, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Poem

Here is the poem I've written for Jack that I will share at his funeral tomorrow:

Jack's Poem

A child trapped in a body that decays,
Yes, childish sometimes, but childlike always.
He laughed like a Cherub, a smile on his face,
Sang like and angel and prayed with simple faith.

Though bound on this earth in a body and a chair,
He freely loved to give and receive a king's share.
Now bound no more but dancing, singing, free,
He is forever with King Jesus, receiving gifts endlessly!

We love and miss you Jack, with your simple ways,
And know we'll see you soon, one of these days.
When Jesus returns with all the saints we'll see
Jack laughing, swimming, singing and, best of all, FREE.

Prayer

"Father, I want to learn from Jack today. I come to you as a trusting child, with simple faith and no pretentious adult cynicism. Help me to become more and more childlike in following and relating to you day by day Lord. Amen."