Finding Child-like Joy in Your Adult World

nathan-mcbride-U9cy1BCLql0-unsplash+%281%29.jpg — Finding Child-Like Joy in Your Adult World

Rebekah Gordon

Day 1 of 5: Beloved Child of God

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.”
–1 John 3:1a (NRSV)

We tell children often that they are beloved by God, but the message gets harder and harder to personally believe as we get older. Somewhere along the way, we seem to forget that the same is true for us. We get wrapped up in our past embarrassing mistakes, relationship failures, career mishaps; and we start to believe the lie that we are the sum of our actions. We believe that the more we succeed, the more worthy we are. And the more we fail, the less value we hold.

Scripture tells us something so different. It says we are children of God. That is who we are—no exceptions.

Why is that such an easy thing to believe as children? We believe it so easily, that we are loved. Can you remember when you first started to feel unworthy of God? It can happen so steadily, in small doses; it’s almost impossible to pinpoint.

In college, someone told me that I was interesting because I seemed to have a “child-like joy” that most people have lost by my age. I wasn’t sure if I should be flattered or offended. Looking back, I think it is one of the best compliments I have ever received. If we live as children do—gladly accepting the love we are given—then our joy would stay fresh within us. We would be more content, light, free. As a reminder to myself to hold onto my child-like joy, sometimes I like to watch children’s movies or read children’s books. I like to return to simple things and let myself feel happy and free.

One of my favorite children’s books is called [[When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/30684816-when-god-made-you). There’s a line in the book that says, “Cause when God made you, somehow God knew that the world needed someone exactly like You.”

It is such a simple line. A simple truth. And yet, so hard to believe. But if you truly believe that God is good and true, then you must believe it was not a mistake when God made you.

Prayer: Creator God, Help me to trust your goodness and believe in your love. Set me free of my burdens of feeling inadequate and unworthy. And fill my heart with child-like joy as I rest in the truth that you made me with intention—to be a child of God. Amen.

Even if just for a few minutes today, take yourself back to your childhood by doing one of your favorite childhood activities: coloring, playing outside, jumping rope, playing an old video game. And let yourself forget about your worries, if only for a few moments, and feel the freeing joy of being a child of God.

Day 1 of 5: Beloved Child of God

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