Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
Singapore July 25, 1994
Good Morning!
As we mature in our walk with Christ do we run the risk of loosing our childlike faith?
As we gain experience from life, are we in danger
of allowing rationalistic thinking to crowd out
simple faith?
CONSIDER: Two people are confronted by an angel from
God with a miracle:
- One is an old saint who has walked with God for decades.
- The other is an innocent teen-age girl.
Surprisingly: The old man doubts God's word.
The teen-age girl responds in trusting confidence.
The old man is Zacharias who is told of his aged wife's
forthcoming pregnancy in carrying John the Baptist. His response:
"How shall I know this for certain? For I am an old
man, and my wife is advanced in years." (Luke 1:18 -
20)
The teen-age girl is Mary, the mother of Jesus who is told
she would bear the Messiah. Her response:
"...Be it done to me according to your word."
(Luke 1:38)
Why would a teen-age youth respond in faith to a miracle while
a seasoned old saint struggles to believe? Perhaps with
life's maturing experiences comes the tendency to intellectualize
ourselves out of childlike faith in God. We simply
"know" too much to believe and trust.
Paul expressed concern in writing, "I am afraid that
your minds may be seduced from a single-hearted devotion
to Him by the same subtle means that the serpent used towards
Eve." (II Corinthians 11:3)
And Jesus stated, "...Unless you are converted and become
like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."
(Matthew 18:3)
So the challenge before us is that as we gain wisdom and experience
with age, we manage to retain the childlike faith of young
Mary. After all, "Without faith, it is impossible to
please God." (Hebrews 11:6)
And that is our goal, is it not? To please God.
Have a great week!
Dwight Hill
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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