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Having a Child-like Heart

By Rev Alvin Tan

G od is raising up a generation of people with a child-like heart and faith. He is calling unto Him worshipers who will approach Him like a child. Worshipers who understand the privilege of calling Him “Abba Father” and the privilege to enter into His Presence!

It should not surprise us that the Lord is doing this work among us. Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven," and "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me" (Mark 9:37).

Being childlike in our faith and walk with the Lord is something many cannot comprehend. It is harder still for many of us who have been in the Lord for many years. We equate spiritual maturity with age, knowledge and years of standing in a church. The core of our relationship with our heavenly Father is an intimate relationship. Do we know, or more so, does He know you?

Having a child has really changed my life. You become aware of another life that you are concern for. Every cry, laughter or even a sound makes you turn and take notice of your child. Your child knows that daddy is there and daddy loves her. She knows that daddy is always approachable. Likewise with our Heavenly Father who longs for His children to run to Him, knowing that He is ever willing to receive them.

There are differences between childlikeness and childishness. Understanding this will help us in our relationship with our heavenly Father, more so our lifestyle as a worshiper.

Approachable

Children recognize that a loving father is approachable. A childlike heart enjoys times alone with a father, giving full attention and receiving full attention. Time with the Father is always well-spent. Jesus always took time from his busy schedule to be with His Father.

Need

Children recognize they are needy. My daughter, Chantel knows that well. When she has a need, she lets father or mother know without hesitation. To admit need to the Lord is an act of humility and worship. The needy heart is really saying: “Lord, you are my life and my Source. You are the answers to my need.”

Creative and Free

Children are spontaneous, trusting and creative. Jesus had a spontaneous approach to His life and ministry that was based on the trust He had for His father. In the context of worship, being free is not being constrained by our feelings or our friends around us. It is us expressing love with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. The Bible tells of many outward expressions of worship like singing, shouting, dancing, bowing, lifting up banners and many more. These are outward expressions of an inward love for our heavenly Father. It is not a cultural or personality issue. It is a childlike heart loving His Heavenly Father! It calls for abandonment on our part for Him. This is always based on relationship and trust.

Wonder

It seems that the older we get, the more it takes to create wonder in our soul. When we were children, playing with balloons seem so exciting and wonderful. Today if I would to ask you what causes wonder to stir within you – what will the answer be? Darrel Evans says, “Children are wide-eyed with wonder, yet they know they see only in part. Times of passionate worship can help open our eyes not only to the character of the Father but also to a willingness to accept truths about Him that we had not known before.” Some of us never really experience His presence in worship and we are never really at liberty to express ourselves. We say the songs are not familiar or we are not into this passionate worship stuff – it is not traditional. When I was in Mexico seven years ago, all the songs sung were in Spanish. That did not stop us in worshiping Jesus. When you are in a relationship with God, when you are in love, there is another language that speaks – the language of the heart.

If we worship only in ways that we are comfortable with, are we really worshiping at all? Are we responding to what the Word of God calls for us to do in our worship of Him? Our Heavenly Father is looking for child-like worshipers in High Praise. Worship is a priority in this church. We want as many of you who walk into our services to know God is here. God inhabits the praises of His people. Let that promise of God come to pass in your life and this gathering of His children.