Child-Like Faith

A few weeks ago, as my daughter was getting in the car from school pickup, she excitedly proclaimed that her and her friends had witnessed a miracle on the playground that day. It was literally the first words out of her mouth. Apparently, when she jumped off the monkey bars (or some sort of playground equipment), she hurt her ankle pretty badly. So, these children – all under the age of 7 – gathered around and prayed for a healing. She continued to tell me that as she put her foot on the ground, she told Satan to take a hike (I’m paraphrasing) and, even though her ankle still hurt a little, she was able to walk on it again. She wasn’t going to let the devil win; she was receiving her miracle and that was that.

Now of course, I expressed my excitement along with her, but underneath I had some doubt; not doubt if Jesus could work a miracle, but more on the lines of if a miracle actually occurred. Did Jesus really heal her ankle or was she maybe being a little dramatic and wasn’t injured that badly?! But it was in those moments of thought when Jesus reminded me about the father that “…cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-25). I felt immediate conviction – could my unbelief be hindering the works and miracles that others were seeking?! Could my unbelief be limiting the miracles in my own life?! Matthew 13:58 tells us that Jesus “did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

We live in a world that pollutes our purity; we can easily become cynical and “of little faith” if we are not mindful. Scripture tells us that unless we become as little children, we will not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3, Mark 10:14, Luke 18:17). In other words, we must have child-like faith – naturally innocent and with conviction. A faith that can’t be persuaded.

There is a mighty work happening around us; we are coming into a season of increase – a season with a purpose to extinguish our unbelief. A few weeks ago, while in prayer, the Lord imprinted my thoughts with the words “I will bring abnormal growth as evidence of who I AM.” That word “abnormal” kept circling in my mind; I couldn’t help but wonder why God specifically chose that word. He could have used unusual or remarkable or extraordinary, but He didn’t – He said abnormal.

My curiosity was peaked so I did some research. Turns out, there was a reason: confirmation. The word norm derives from the Latin word norma, meaning “precept” and ab- means “off, away from.” Through this mighty move, the Lord will lead us “away from our own precepts” to a greater understanding of who He is so His Church can operate in the fullness of His power and truth. Jesus is helping our unbelief!

Lord, I thank you for conviction and correction. Let there be a spirit of submission and humility in your Church. Help us to receive Your increase of child-like faith in our lives. In Jesus name, Amen.