Chopsticks & Childlike Faith

I just finished re-reading a terrific book by Michael Yaconelli called "Dangerous Wonder: The Adventure of Childlike Faith." In this great book, originally published in 1998, Yaconelli "invites you to recapture the joy of being a child and apply it to your relationship with God. You'll be encouraged to ask difficult questions about faith and take Jesus at His word when He says, 'Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'"

As Yaconelli states, "Jump first. Fear later."

It's so easy for us involved in international ministry to lose our childlike faith and become cynical, hardened adults instead. We do this even as we continue to call and consider ourselves believers and Christ followers. But we've got to get back to a childlike faith, just as Jesus says, in order to receive the kingdom of God. The NIV Study Bible comments that if we want to be become like the little child of whom Jesus speaks, then we need to become "trusting and unpretentious."

At the end of "Dangerous Wonder", Yaconelli concludes, "As you look at your life, as you contemplate embracing the faith of a little child, as you wonder what difference your bumbling, flawed life will make, I hope you've heard in the pages of this book God's whispering voice, 'Don't stop! Keep on playing! You're doing great!' One day we'll all be gathered in that great concert hall of God, and we'll hear the glorious beauty of the concerto God was playing while you and I plunked out our childlike version of 'Chopsticks.'"

Heed the words of Michael Yaconelli. Plunk away at the "Chopsticks" in your life and ministry, and then listen to what beautiful music God will make with it!