Obsolete Children

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.  Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.  1 John 3:1-2

The other day, I read a silly quote that said, “Adults are obsolete children.”  That was written by Dr. Seuss.  I read Dr. Seuss books when I was little.  In fact, I can still recite my favorite quote from his book, ‘Stop That Ball!’  It said, “I whacked it high!  I whacked it low!  I whacked it so hard the string let go!”  There is a far greater lesson for me in remembering this other than a childhood memory.  It is a reminder that the innocence and joy I had as a child is something to aspire to.  It is important that I bring the exuberance, excitement, pure heartedness, and fun loving attitude about my faith like a child.  It is not because being a follower of Christ is fun and games.  Instead, it is knowing there is no better place than to be a child of the wonderful, majestic, and Holy God.

We are to embrace our role of children of God.  I love the letter in first James as today’s verse as it discusses our place as God’s children.  We have the knowledge of knowing Him intimately through His word and His Holy Spirit that dwells within us.  Are there times we will feel like we are in utter darkness and experience fear?  Yes.  Will we be tempted into sin and may at times fail?  Absolutely.  But as God’s children, we have the shining perfected example of our Heavenly Father, and this becomes our guide to righteousness.  We see Jesus as foretold in Isaiah 9:6 as the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  We take on His traits as born again through Christ.  Yet while we continue to grow in Him, we must not lose the child like joy in being with Him.  There is no greater love than Jesus Christ has for us, and to have it, we should feel comfort, peace, warmth, and that feeling when you have an abundance of everything you ever needed.  That’s what it is like to truly understand you are a child of God.

To be a child of God does not come with just personal fulfillment.  It requires us to act.  Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)  The children’s gospel song “This Little Light of Mine,” simply says, “This little light of mine.  I’m gonna let it shine!”  As God’s children, we contain His light within.  We in kind must let it shine with brightly inspired by the energy all children possess.  What is taking away your child-like passion for Christ?  How can you better embrace the idea of being a child of God?  My prayer is that we go joyously in our journey of faith and not become ‘obsolete Children.’  Amen.