Faith like a child. For a while now, this concept has been bouncing around in my head on a frequent basis, as a reminder of always seeking after God with a fervent and unwavering passion. What does it mean to have faith like a child? What does that look like?
Well, a few months ago, I had the most beautiful image of what it indeed looks like to have faith like a child. On the last night of devotions, with the last team of the winter, we were all gathered together in the great room of the mission base. I had the pleasure of sitting in between Emanuel and Debora, the two children of our Guatemalan staff members, who had also been asking ALL day when devotions would take place. =)
As we wrapped up a time of singing and studying the Scriptures, we entered into a time of reflection where the team members could also give their lives to Christ for the first time or re-dedicate their lives to Him if they felt so led. After some time, I heard a whimpering cry coming from my left, and I realized that Debora was crying as she was praying and raising her hands in praise to God. Soon thereafter, she made her way to the cross and nailed a piece of paper deep into the wood. I asked her later what she wrote on that piece of paper, and through her sobs, I was able to understand that she had asked God for forgiveness from all her sins. She remained in her seat for only a little while before returning to the cross, this time falling on her knees in prayer. I stayed in my seat for a little while longer, holding her brother who I realized had begun to cry on my right. After a while, however, I returned to the cross with Debora. Dan Smith was there as well, and he led her to writing her name on another piece of paper before nailing it to the cross, signifying that she was giving her life to Christ for the first time. Praise God!
Looking back towards Emanuel, I noticed that he was peering at the cross through red and swollen eyes. I invited him to join us down and the cross, which he did so without hesitation. After holding him and letting him cry for a while longer, I asked him if he too wanted to accept Christ into his heart for the first time. He nodded yes, and as we gathered together a pen, paper, nail, and hammer, he wrote his name on that paper and drove it deep into the cross.
By this point, tears of joy were flowing all around. Both kids returned to the cross numerous times, letting go of numerous confessions and sins. What a privilege it was to bear witness to that event and to be a part of their commitment to Christ, both in that moment and in the weeks and months to come! They shared their experience with their parents, and since that day, it seems like the kids have been running around here with a new passion and joy for life. They even willingly offer to pray before meals, and they both have read through their new children’s Bibles in less than a week.
I don’t know about you, but that is the kind of passion I want to have. I want to have a faith that is always growing, always seeking, and always excited to discover God at work in new ways every single day.
Erin, I never get tired of reading about whats happening in your world. It is so uplifting to read about how God is working in Guatemala.
ReplyDeleteDon Wood