Hot Off the Press

BE CHILDLIKE
By Pastor Melvin Guerrero

A few years ago, whenever we go to the mall, I always sense the utter excitement of my two bright-eyed little girls who can’t wait to run around the place and start pointing fingers at the things that they want their daddy and mommy to buy for them (and it takes a huge amount of skill to redirect their attention). My daughters get so excited that they can’t figure out whether they want to eat ice cream or go to the kiddie rides! They are so carefree and full of life! No worries - mommy and daddy will take care of everything. 

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I wish I could have that type of childlike wonder again.I can't help but miss the feeling of being free of reservations and fears with the assurance that someone will always provide for things that I need (with the occasional wants). It seems that when one grows older, it becomes harder to rely on faith. Our society tells us to do more to acquire more so we could  please ourselves more. As if everything that we enjoy in life is because of our doing. And with this false sense of stability, worry creeps in.

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Of course, everyone worries. I haven’t met anyone who hasn’t expressed worry. It is hard to admit it, but I am part of the majority. We are anxious about the basic needs of life – food, clothing and shelter. We worry if we would still have jobs tomorrow so we go gung-ho in our careers just to please our superiors or the people around us.  

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This is what the devil uses to keep God’s children away from the things that truly matter most - time with family and most especially with the Lord. Though it isn’t bad to give our best at work, we should not let work get the best of us. He urges us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all our needs and blessings will be given to us (Matt.6:33).

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This is the type of attitude that God wants from us. We are told in God’s Word that we should not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God (Phil. 4:6) since all things are possible with God (Mark 10:27). In other words, we are told to have faith. Well, not just any type of faith, but childlike faith (Matt. 18:3) - absolute reliance on our Father in heaven.

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Whenever I wonder about how much God cares for us, I begin by attempting to look at the Lord’s perspective as a parent through my eyes as a parent (however feeble it may be). I know for a fact that my wife and I would rather die than let anything happen to our children, whether or not they are able to do the same for us.

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Now, if humans are capable of this type of selfless and unconditional love for their children, how much more our Father in Heaven? With this analogy, I am comforted by the fact that we have a God who does even more. 

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Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-34 not to worry but to have faith in our Lord to provide for us just as He provides for the birds in the air. Jesus placed such negativity on worrying that it is considered a sin – an activity of pagans or godless individuals (ouch!). Here, we are given the idea that the true child of God believes in an all powerful Savior and knows that God is in control of everything. This is what sets apart the believers from the unbelievers. So those who are in Christ should hold on to the hope that is anchored in the Lord. So why worry? Christ is all we need after all. 

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Prayer:

I cast all my cares upon you

I lay all of my burdens down at your feet

Anytime I don't know what to do

I will cast all my cares upon you - from Kid's Praise 5