Children are an example of how to be loving, trusting, and generous. They are still learning how to be gentle, and how to present words kindly; so you know when you get a compliment (or a diss) from a kid, they’re honest. A pinky promise; an almost sacred thing for little ones between friends or family. It’s a physical sign that, “hey. I may not have much, but you have my word.” I love it, because it really shows the beauty in simple trust. When a kid does it, you know they mean it and are gonna keep their end; and they trust you to keep yours.
In Matthew 18:3-4 it says we must humbly receive the kingdom of God like a child. What does that mean? It means simple receiving; receiving the love of Jesus as a gift, knowing we can’t earn it. Simple love. Simple trust. Simple generosity. With a child, looking at Jesus and thinking about all He is in the small years of life they have experienced amazes them, as it should, however old we are. He makes a pinky promise that he will love them and care for them, and meets them where they are at; with a concept that makes sense to them. How much bigger, then, is the promise that comes from the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross for us?
In Jesus’ crucifiction, God promised us that we would never again have to make sacrifices for our sins, or work for His love. With Him giving up His perfect son, that made up for all our mistakes. It’s a simple promise, with a massive blessing.
God promises us that he will always be good, and His ways are kind, loving, and faithful. He says, “hey. I have e v e r y t h i n g, and I want to give it to you. Do you trust me?” And he puts out his pinky for us to hold, but we must choose to commit to our side of the promise as well.
Being here in Guatemala has been amazing. (psa: if you didn’t know, I’m in Guatemala on month 4 of my race! sorry if you didn’t know that til now). It been almost a week, and the Lord is already revealing himself in new ways. Something that he’s been teaching me is that he is always good. Romania was a season of growth, challenge, and trust. He continually showed up and displayed His faithfulness in the difficulty. Now being in Guatemala, it’s a whole new scenery (literally and metaphorically). Guate is green and lush, compared to the busy cities of Romania, people smile back, and there just seems like so much fruit to be harvested. But, that doesn’t mean God increased in faithfulness. The Jesus that walked me through my broken identity and showed me the kindness of Romanian teens is the same Jesus that is showing me what it looks like to trust Him when I don’t know what he’s doing. His faithfulness didn’t decrease in Romania, and it didn’t increase in Guatemala. He is beautifully constant. When we do something nice for someone, he doesn’t say “wow I love them a little more today.” And when we stumble he doesn’t say “oh I love them less.” He loves us fully 110%, 25/8, always. We can’t earn more of his love, because it is already fully on us; and we can’t lose it because it is unconditional.
By no means is this a concept I fully grasp. I am still learning what it means to be loved by God, but something my wise squad leader Olivia said was, “we will always be a student in love, and learning what love is from God.” We’ll never be able to fully grasp how wide, deep, and far the love of our Abba goes for us, but we should fall at His feet and try our best. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. How beautifully consistent He is.
Father, please teach me more of your love, and how you never change, and are always fully faithful and fully satisfying. Show me what it looks like to have humble faith like a child. Show me more of your simple but oh so rich character. Please teach me; here’s my pinky promise I’ll listen.
Verse: “At that time Jesus said, “I praise you father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”” Matthew 11:25
Worship song: Simple Gospel by United Pursuit
Also: I still have roughly $5,500 left to raise. Please consider supporting me to help me continue on this amazing journey overseas with the Lord.
