I recently had the privilege of baptizing a little girl during a Sunday morning church service.  According to her overjoyed mama, her excitement had been building for days and included a countdown to the event on the home front.

The special morning arrived and she could hardly contain her joy as she bounded into church – bouncing, not walking.

Her enthusiasm was contagious.  Her joy genuine.  Her decision simple.

She had recently said “Yes!” to Jesus and baptism was her next step – a choice to outwardly demonstrate that she was a new person on the inside.  She had chosen to die to herself and live for God and she wanted others to know it.

This little 9-year old easily understood the basics of the Gospel:

*She was sinful (James 4:17)

*She couldn’t stop being this way on her own and needed to be rescued (Romans 3:23)

*Jesus, God’s very own Son, came to earth to do that very thing (John 3:16)

*God invited her to believe that truth and give her life to Him (Romans 10:9; John 3:3;

  2 Corinthians 5:17)

So, she did, and her example was beautiful to witness.

How often do we, as adults, exchange the basics of the Gospel for the burdens and complications of daily life? 

The Gospel never changes.  The same God who saved you and I yesterday, last month, or 30 years ago is the same God who can take on our problems today, carry our burdens and cares this minute, and save us from our sinful tendencies now.

The question is, do we believe that?  Do we act like that’s the case?

Jesus knew that children would “get it” and would be an example for adults for generations to come.

“Let the little children come to Me…because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17 HCSB)

Children have a beautiful way of keeping things simple, don’t they? 

If your world has been clouded with complications and cares, may I invite you today to become like a little child?  Run towards your Heavenly Father.  Let Him deal with the “big stuff” while you hold on to the basics and live in childlike simplicity!

Until next time, Grace and Glory!