Believe Like a Child Again

I have been reading and rereading a book by John Elderedge lately. In the book, he talks about our inability to believe like a child again. He points out that if you tell a child, “We are going to the beach tomorrow,” they don’t say things like, “Maybe. We’ll see. Did you check the weather?” Or “I heard there was a sewage problem in the coast. I don’t think we should go.” 

Nope. Kids get excited and filled with anticipation of the exciting day they will have tomorrow. They aren’t jaded by cynicism and skepticism like we adults are. 

In his first chapter, he points out that we have become “Disciples of the internet”. Meaning, we spend more time on the internet than we do with each other or with God. It has made us so cynical. Doubting. We distrust EVERYTHING. 

We do. Its true. 

I do. 

(I will give you the name of the book at the end of this post.)

So Much Confusion:

I can see why we do. It makes sense to me. I see it in myself in those around me. We check the internet for recipes, weather. The latest news and so much more. But following along with what’s going on around us is exhausting. There are confusing messages everywhere. 

• Do this, don’t do that. 

• The next day, don’t do that. Do this. 

• This guy is bad today. Tomorrow, that guy is a good guy not the bad guy. 

• Eat this, don’t eat that. Then, wait, no. Don’t eat that, eat this instead. 

We are bombarded with numerous confusing messages all around us every single day. 

We are exhausted and don’t know what to believe anymore. We are literally STARVING for Truth. There is so much information all around us and not much that we can trust.

That’s why we need to be grounded by SOMETHING. Something TRUE. 

What is True?

Historically, Jesus has been proven to have been alive and changed the world through his life. Even if you don’t want to believe in Him or Christianity, you have to understand that he did live and change the world. That is a historical fact. Ancient historians talk about him in their writings.

Archaeological finds are proving the accuracy of scripture. 

• Synagogues that the Bible says Jesus went to. The remains of many of them have been found.
• The Galilean Boat- reported to be from around the time of Jesus.
• Hezekiah’s tunnel. I have walked it. 
• The Pool of Siloam
• Jacob’s well
• The Temple in Jerusalem, Steps, Signs, and Stones. 

To name a few. 

We Must Be Like Children:

Jesus says in Matthew 18:2-3

2 Then He called a child to Him and had him stand among them. 3 “I assure you,” He said, “unless you are converted[b] and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

John Elderedge says this:

“Here he (Jesus) is trying to rescue us from the barrier to experiencing God and his Kingdom that has been formed within us by the time we reach adulthood- the weary, skeptical, cynicism…. The guardedness. Jesus says, “I have so much to offer you. But you’re going to have to let go of the cynicism, skepticism, and pragmatism. Open yourself up to belief again. Simply trust, like a child does.” 

Can you? 

Is it possible for you to let those guards down? Simply trust that He does have your best interests in mind? Believe like a child again.

Now, I am not saying, nor is John Elderedge, that we should throw all caution to the wind. We simply cannot believe and trust everything that comes our way. That would be foolishness.  Even a child has an innate ability to know what is not actually true.

John Elderidge and I are saying, “Turn your hearts back to Him. Trust that He is True and He is for you.” Jesus is your TRUE refuge in this storm. Turn towards Him. 

He is safe. 

Would you like to experience Jesus for yourself? Schedule your first appointment with me here and let’s experience what the real Jesus can do for you.

The book is called, “Experiencing Jesus. Really.” I listened to it on audible before I purchased a hard copy of the book. I am glad I have both because I am finding I am going back to them both again and again.