Call of the Child

Jer 1:7  GOD told me, "Don't say, 'I'm only a boy.' I'll tell you where to go and you'll go 
there. I'll tell you what to say and you'll say it. 
Jer 1:8  Don't be afraid of a soul. I'll be right there, looking after you." GOD's Decree. 
     Oh, to be a kid again. Peter was a friend that lived in the house right across the alley 
from us. I remember sitting in his front yard, just hanging out after a game of kick the 
can, thinking about life and how wonderful it was to just be a kid. I determined that I 
would never grow up to all those worries and responsibilities that seemed to plague the 
grownups. I would just remain in this world of play and fun with everything provided and 
no reason to be concerned. I wished that I could just stay little and never lose the 
simplicity of childhood. 
     The only problem with the kid-wish was that there were so many cool things that only 
the grownups could do, like drive, play real tackle football, and shoot guns. In order to 
get to do any of these things, it really must happen. Growing up really had to take place 
in order to play the big games and do the really cool stuff. While it was wonderful to live 
in a world of freedom from the pressures of life, to continue to live meant that there 
would be expectations acquired and responsibilities gained as childhood gave way to 
adulthood. With the onset of age there would be an ability to do what only the grownups 
could do, go where they go, and have their authority. If only you could just grow up 
somehow and still be a kid. You know, do all the cool stuff without all the worries, 
pressures and frets of grown up life. 
     Did you ever notice that God quite often likes to call on the child sill in the wonder 
years to do things normally withheld for the adult? Age doesn't seem to bother Him much 
when he's looking for a giant killer, a king, or a prophet. In fact, there is something that 
qualifies the child apart from the one who has progressed in years. Without the loss of 
innocence and without the worries of life, the child is ready and set to do without 
questions the things that he or she is told. In fact, they are ready to believe anything, 
seeing themselves as a doctor, fireman, soldier, king, queen, or mother. The 
disappointments, frustrations, and discouragements of life have yet to build up the walls 
of worry and disbelief and they are still inspired and motivated by stories of heroes and 
champions. Jesus pointed this out, and even made a statement that seemed to be a bit 
difficult- in order to be effective in the kingdom, one would actually have to be childlike. 
The kingdom itself is a kingdom of children. 
     Wow! Now that sounds like my dream life. Do all the cool stuff without the worries. 
Although there was much responsibility upon the life of Jesus, when it came to great 
miracles he would perform and His approach to living, there was an innocence and 
freedom from worry about the situation itself. While the storm was raging, He was asleep 
in the bottom of the boat. When his friend was deathly sick, He just took His time in 
going to see him. At a party, He wasn't concerned that someone hadn't brought enough 
wine. And to a throng of accusers, He felt no need to defend Himself. There was an 
enjoyment of the moment and an ability to operate in the power and ability that He 
possessed, not in His ascension to maturity, but in His retention of childhood. Already 
evident in His choice to hang out in the temple when He was 12, the choices He began in 
childhood would be the ones that carried Him all the way to His fulfilled purpose. When 
and what His Father spoke were simply His directives, and He would be obedient to do 
them, without regard for the apparent difficulties or consequences. His ability to complete 
the greatest adult responsibility was found not in His age and maturity as much as it was 
obtained in His simple worry free childlike obedience.
     I know it might seem like it's a bit late to get in on the 'call-of-the-child', if all that 
water's gone under the bridge and pain and discouragement have brought a tendency 
towards skepticism and doubt. There is, though, a return to Never Land for the one who 
is willing to be born again to the freedom of life in Christ. And this return to birth isn't 
something that was just a one time thing of long ago. For the one who is truly willing, 
there is new life in every day and every moment. In giving up the worries, frets and cares 
acquired in this life for the joy and liberty in Jesus, there is an entrance into the life of 
dreams. It is only a matter of hearing the voice of the Father, then, and we're off to fulfill 
the limits of our potential and purpose in the plan that He has made for our life. Oh, to be 
a child again? Hey, we can be. To be in Him is to be a child and do all the coolest stuff. 

Jer 1:17  "But you--up on your feet and get dressed for work! Stand up and say your 
piece. Say exactly what I tell you to say. Don't pull your punches or I'll pull you out of 
the lineup. 
Jer 1:18  "Stand at attention while I prepare you for your work. I'm making you as 
impregnable as a castle, Immovable as a steel post, solid as a concrete block wall. You're 
a one-man defense system against this culture, Against Judah's kings and princes, against 
the priests and local leaders. 
Jer 1:19  They'll fight you, but they won't even scratch you. I'll back you up every inch of 
the way." GOD's Decree. 



6/1/06