When my dog was a puppy, he was very different than he is now. He was much like a toddler, and followed me everywhere in the house. Unsure of himself in the world, he depended on me for guidance. I didn’t have to call him, he would naturally follow me.
Now that he is six years old, he has a mind of his own. He is independent with a stubborn streak. He is aloof, as his breed tends to be. He’ll chase a ball or play with me, but only on his terms. But when he gets scared in an unfamiliar situation, he will still hide behind me, tail between his legs.
Our Christian walk can look similar. As baby Christians, we hunger for all the new things of God. Like a new puppy, we eagerly chase after Him. We are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, excited by the newness of everything.
As the years go by, we become more comfortable in our Christian routine and “lifestyle.” We can become like my dog. Independent with a stubborn streak. Distracted by the things of this world. Generally aloof to the things up above. Self-reliant, rather than reliant on God.
We say that we want to practice self-denial, but on our own terms. We run to God only when we are stressed or scared. We might even become crotchety when He asks us to get up and move.
The other day I realized that I missed my dog’s puppy days, when he would watch my every move and follow me around. He was a Velcro dog.
How God’s heart must long for us to follow Him this closely. How much joy it would bring His heart if we made pursuing God our number one priority!
The Bible says that God values a child-like heart. Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2-4 NIV).
Let us humble ourselves today and become Velcro Christians, child-like and always seeking to follow our God—no matter how old we are.
What are some of the obstacles to having a child-like heart? How can you stick closer to God this week?
Reflections:
“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’” Luke 18:16-17 (NIV)
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1
Photo by Andrew Schultz on Unsplash
