When God Says it’s Time (Part two of the journey):

Oh, what would it be like to be a little child again!  I was watching my grandchildren play the other day, and I thought, “When was the last time I just ran around, jumping (as if I could) and laughing, not caring what anyone thought?  Where did that youthful exuberance go?  When did my fearless energy and ideas change to become conservative and careful?”

Aren’t we all children in our Father’s eyes? John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” That means that all of us, who believe in Christ, are his children!  As a child of Christ, I can once again feel the youthful exuberance I once had! 

God is currently taking me on a new journey in my life, and the words, “unless you change and become like little children”, suddenly have a different meaning.  Rather than approaching my new path with fear, trepidation, doubt, and negativity, I am to focus on seeing it through a child’s eyes.  Every day with Christ is a new adventure.  He takes me to places I could never go on my own.  He helps me to chart new courses that I would never be able to see. He gives me the courage to take a chance on something new. Instead of having a path that I have written out, with set goals and a nagging drive to achieve those goals, I must chart a path in which each step then leads to the next step. God is only revealing one step at a time.  Do you know how VERY HARD that is for a control freak?!  When we are children, we allow our parents to take us wherever they want us to go.  In our youthful minds, we can safely just follow along, trusting where they are leading us.  This is what God is wanting from me: trust in my Father to take me wherever he wants me to go.  

I remember I used to ask my parents a lot of “why’s”, not really getting a good answer (other than “because I said so”).  I can ask God “Why?” too, but I can also always trust him, as His word says, “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11)

I have always known that God is ultimately in power, but I also know that I control so much.  I make decisions every single day.  I affect people’s lives constantly. I have the expertise and knowledge to move forward, to advance my career, to grow and strengthen my company.  In my life, the plans I had when I was younger have evolved into a career and calling that has been blessed by God.  And yet, I still do not know everything that God has planned for me. As children, we are almost fearless.  We jump into things without really thinking it through.  This is what God is now asking of me: to be fearless, knowing that he will protect me.  As I look through the eyes of a child, I can see that the whole world is there, and that God will blaze a trail for me.

Finally, I need to look at all of life with joy and excitement, just like a child would. I cannot look at all the benefits my position in life may or may not give to me, but rather, I must start fresh.  I have to look at every encounter as a chance to share joy, and to represent the love of God.  My flesh needs to die, and my childlike joy needs to be resurrected.

Walking this new path is going to take a lot of courage, a lot of faith, and a stronger trust in God than I ever thought I required.  Part of a father’s job is to help his children continue to learn and grow throughout their life.  I am feeling a need for this from God daily.  I am already reaching into His word more often, praying more, and trusting every single day to His direction for my life.  And I do not plan on stopping anytime soon. As children of God, this is our true calling: “Trust and Obey.”

(Stay tuned for the next installment)

Dorothy Shadrick is a volunteer leader and faithful member of Renovate Church. Along with helping to plan and lead events for all ministries, she is an integral member of Renovate’s welcome team, a capable teacher, and an incredible servant leader in women’s ministries.