When I taught children's church several months ago, my class hit a little bump in the road during free time. One boy had been building something with Legos. He had put so much time and creativity into this little creation of his when another boy came over and began taking pieces off of it to build something of his own. The first boy reacted by getting very angry and screaming at him as he began to throw a (completely justified, in his mind) fit. At this very moment when his world seemed to be falling apart and completely out of his control, his mother happened to walk by the kids church room to see him sitting on the floor yelling about Legos.
When this boy looked up through his teary eyes and saw his mom standing there his entire demeanor changed. His anger vanished in an instant as he met the eyes of the person he knew understood what he was going through at that moment. He began to cry and tell his mom everything that had happened and explain just why she found him sitting on the floor yelling about Legos. Instead of trying to control the infuriating situation, this precious boy was asking his mom to help and understand.
Until he noticed his mother standing there, this boy was facing this frustrating problem by himself. He was trying to control it by himself. That moment when he saw her changed everything for him. This boy knew who his mom was. He knew she understood him. He knew she was willing to listen. He knew she had control and authority that he didn't. He knew she adored him even while he was sitting on the floor yelling about legos. Her presence changed everything, and the look on his face made that clear to everyone who saw it.
What if we looked at God like that? What if when our world is falling apart we look to God and acknowledge His power, heart, and understanding? It seems so much more complicated than that now that we're adults and can't just walk over and tell the teacher when someone wrongs us. Sometimes it feels like letting God have control and simply talking to our loving Father isn't enough to fix it. Yet Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:3, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven". Jesus wants us to look up at Him, like that little boy did, when our world is falling apart. This is what He always intended our relationship with Him to be like.
We are referred to as God's children over one hundred times in the book of John alone. In Mark 9:42 Jesus proclaims "If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea". He referred to those who believe in Him as children and is clearly very protective of us.
He doesn't want us to ignore His presence in the situation and fight it with our own anger, depression, anxiety, finances, or friends. He wants to hear from us. He understands, even if you are out of control and making a complete fool of yourself. He adores you so much and is waiting for you to look at Him and see your Father on your side. He has power and authority you do not, you aren't meant to solve the problem on your own.
People will notice. They will see your demeanor change. They will see your heart change. They will want to have the calmness and trust you have when walking through a crisis. God can use your trust if you will give it to Him.
Life doesn't have to be so complicated. The children I teach in children's church are so excited about the stories in the Bible. They love telling me what they know and praying for each other. Life is simple to them, do what is right and love Jesus. Where did that simplicity and passion go? God didn't change just because you got older. He still has the same power, heart, and understanding He did when you got angry over Legos. God calls us His children many times in the Bible, let's act like it.
