Never Growing Up

Have you ever thought of what it would be like to never grow old?

There is something in all of us that yearns for immortality. We remember our childhood and how seemingly innocent and carefree we were. Even if we had less than perfect memories, almost all of us would want to relive our youth. Like Peter Pan in Neverland, we yearn to be children.

What happened?

As time passed, our parents instructed us to become more “mature” and “responsible”. Schools prepared us for “adulthood” and “productive, meaningful careers”. We felt pressure to conform to standards of what adults should meet.

We were told to “grow up”.

But that’s not what Jesus told us. Jesus, in fact, told us the exact opposite.

Three biblical writers- Matthew, Mark, and Luke- all record that Jesus was held in high esteem by the crowds. People walked for miles to hear him. And people would bring their entire families, including young children, to hear what Jesus would speak about.

Parents began to bring their children to Jesus so he could bless them. Parents wanted their children to be known by God and receive wholeness and happiness, and so it made sense for them to ask Jesus to confer those blessings.

The disciples, however, thought otherwise. Like many people in today’s modern world, they thought that children weren’t important enough to meet Jesus. After all, what could children contribute? Children do not have impressive resumes or degree from higher institutions. What good could children possibly do in God’s Kingdom? Therefore, the disciples thought it would be best to discourage- no, prevent- the parents from bringing their children into Jesus’ presence.

When Jesus heard about the disciples’ intent, he was indignant and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mark 10:15 NIV, cf. Matthew 18:3, Luke 18:17).

Become like little children? But aren’t we supposed to grow up into maturity? Aren’t we supposed to “grow up”?

At another instance, the disciples wanted Jesus to teach them how to pray. They wanted to make sure that the Almighty of the universe would hear their prayers. They wanted to say the “right” words for their requests to be granted.

Matthew and Luke both record that Jesus started His prayers with, “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:2). “Our Father”. Not Supreme Overlord, King of Kings, Lord of Lord, All Powerful and All Wise Perfect Being, Master of the Universe…but instead “Our Father”.

If we want God to hear our prayers, we can address Him as our Father! We have the privilege to be His children.

Jesus did not tell us to “grow up”. Jesus told us to “grow down”, to remember our status as children of God. Jesus, the Son of God, invited us to become sons of God.

G.K. Chesterton writes in Orthodoxy:

“Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”

I wonder if God laughs when we try to outgrow Him? Does He laugh in the same way we may laugh at a child who pretends to be much older than he or she really is? Or does it grieve God when we neglect our God-given childhood and become too old for Him?

I have a sign on my desk at work that says, “Never grow up.” It helps me to remember that no matter how many years pass or how often life changes that I am still a child of God. I will forever be young. Adult responsibilities and worries can distract me from knowing God as my Father, but neither changes who He is and who I am.

As a child of God, I can know these truths:

God is the best Father alive

"And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven."

Matthew 23:9

God gives good gifts to us, including His Spirit

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."

Luke 11:13 (cf. Matthew 7:11)

God desires every one to be His child for eternity, including me. 

"Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish."

Matthew 18:14

"At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, 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. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.'" (Luke 10:21)

God desires for you to be His child. He has promised to be a good Father for all time. Why would you ever want to grow up?