Being like little children

I'm a pretty cynical guy. And, for the longest time, I've actually taken a bit of pride in my cynicism. As I continue to grow and work out my faith, I always do so with a critical eye, carefully watching to make sure study materials aren't too basic or that concepts don't resemble in anyway the perception that I've checked my brain at the door. I intentionally look for things that are "deeper" and more on the edge and am constantly looking at conservative Christian positions to find flaws or inconsistencies in positions.

Contrast that with a friend of mine. He's extremely intelligent and driven, but he can find meaning and application in just about anything. We, along with a small group of other men, get together every Wednesday morning to study what sometimes is some pretty basic material. Every single week, he's able to grab some sort of life application, walking away having learned something. And, when we first started meeting, I actually felt sorry for him. I mean, how could this individual possibly be that far along in his Christian walk when he is filled with so much wonder by such basic material?

Recently I've been thinking about Mark 10, specifically the section where Jesus comes down on his disciples for trying to get rid of the children that people were bringing to Him. I think about my daughters and, when they were younger, how innocent and filled with wonder they were. Sure, they don't know a heck of a lot and they don't have to deal with things like the sub prime mortgage crisis, a downward spiraling dollar or whether or not the guest room will be finished before the guests show up in a few weeks. They want to dress up, make up their hair and dream. They love watching Hannah Montana and wildly dancing without concern of their appearance. Then, I try to imagine taking their attitude in life and sitting right on Jesus's lap. They probably know that he's an important guy, but they'd be more interested in exploring his beard, hearing his jokes or hoping that He'll tickle them. They'd listen to his stories, watching the expressions change in his eyes and his mouth move as he speaks. They'd sit there and soak up the attention, feeling completely safe and at ease as he teaches life lessons.

Me? I'd probably approach him with a list of questions, subconsciously looking for clarification of an issue or any excuse for a debate. I probably wouldn't have gone there to learn, but to do battle. Wow.

So I think about my friend, how in spite of his intelligence, his maturity and his long history of living and learning with Christ, he still has the attitude of a child. Lately, I've been amazed as I watch his approach to some incredibly elementary principles of the Christian faith and I want to be like that. I want to be less smart and less critical and more filled with the wonder that comes from being easily awed. In short, I want to be more like a little child.