“For many, Christianity has become the grinding out of general doctrinal laws from collections of biblical facts. But childlike wonder and awe have died. The scenery and poetry and music of the majesty of God have dried up like a forgotten peach at the back of the refrigerator.” John Piper
One of the benefits of stepping out of religious, church traditions is that it provides the opportunity for us to renew our love for God and to re-experience the childlike wonder that He invites us to.
However, this is not automatic. We can easily exchange one religious system for another. Just because we have moved big-building church into a home or started meeting in a participatory manner does not mean that the inner life has changed. We might be focusing on making disciples that make disciples, but if we are not passing along the vibrant life of one who has found the treasure and sold all else with joy and awe, then what kind of disciples are being produced?
It is not enough to swap one religious system for another. The invitation of the Spirit, always, is to swap out our religious comforts, including our internal ones, for ongoing encounter with Jesus the Majestic, Living One. May our hearts long for this, like little children, above all else.
Unless you become like children…
Comments
3 responses to “From Religion to Childlike Wonder”
Always a good reminder and encouragement to die to self daily, moment to moment, and surrender to LOVE, God, Lover of our souls, that we may truly live in Christ. Lord have mercy, may it be so. Amen.
love it – a re focusing on child like faith, first love, simple faith, watch Jesus – do Jesus.
I was at the Feild Days (Huge national Agricultural show in New Zealand) and twice found myself inadvertently selling a product for the producer out of my zeal for it. Which got me thinking … when was the last time I shared my love and enthusiasm for a life changing, close walk with Jesus? Can’t remember? maybe its time to spend a little more quality time with the lover of my soul!
I wrote a fictional book, “Light of the Phoenix”, to encourage the church as an organism (living Body) more so than an organization. I am offering it free for the next 5 days if anyone would like to download and check it out. You’ll find it in Amazon Books… this is a subject near to my heart.