I love the honesty of children. There’s no pretense with them. God has often used my children and other children to teach or remind me of an important truth in life.
When our daughter Julie was a little girl, she would often question my driving. “Dad, isn’t the speed limit 55?!?” “Didn’t you say God wants us to obey?!?” To which I would reply: “Yes, Julie – thank you” and then slow down to the right speed. I wasn’t always excited about her comments, but she was right and I needed to set the right example. It was simple for her as a child; no need to try and reason it out or find some excuse for doing wrong. If God said it, then we’re supposed to obey it.
This past week I experienced another reminder from a child. The Powers family was at our house swimming. I took a bottle of water into the pool with me, and their youngest daughter – Bethany (age 3) said: “Pastor BJ – you can’t have drinks in the pool.” I said, “What?” And Bethany repeated her comment. I just smiled and said: “You’re right – thank you.” There wasn’t really anything wrong with me having a bottle of water in my own pool, but she had recently been to a pool party at the city pool and the rule was no drinks in the pool. It was very simple for her – so I concurred and took my bottle of water from the pool.
Jesus once said in Matthew 18, that we need to become like children when it comes to our relationship with God. We are to simply trust and have the faith to take Him at His word. It’s that simple. I was reminded of this in my time in God’s Word this morning in Proverbs 3. Prov 3:5-7 says: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. 6 Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. 7 Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the LORD and refuse to do wrong.
When I’m willing to do this – with simple childlike faith – God promises: If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains. Proverbs 3:8
Bless you
Pastor BJ
BJ Rutledge 