“Someday, you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” C.S. Lewis
When I was young (so not long ago), I had what some might call a very ‘simple faith.’ In other words, if God said that’s what happened, well, that was good enough for me.
God speaking creation into His existence… I’m good with that. The Red Sea being parted so a few million people could walk through on dry ground? Moses said that’s what happened, not a problem for me. Jonah being swallowed by a really large fish and surviving for a few days? Well, other than that being a bit gross and slimy, I believe it happened. Jesus walking on water? Well, that doesn’t sound all that complicated for Jesus to do, so I believe He did what He said He did.
Again, when I was young, if the Bible said it happened, well, I simply chose to believe it. And to be honest, there was a lot of joy that came with what some might call my ‘simple faith.’
But as is the case with all of us, we get older. And as we get older, what was once considered ‘simple’ has somehow become complex; and what was once considered believable is nothing more than great fodder for debate and discussion… but not belief.
By no means am I saying that having questions or doubts or concerns related to what God calls us to believe is inappropriate…I’m not saying that at all. Rather, what I am saying is that I think Mr. C.S. Lewis was on to something when he talked about getting old enough one day to once again read ‘fairy tales.’
God says He loves you… will you believe that?
God says He’s got you… will you trust that?
God says you are forgiven… will you let that shape you?
God says you are His child… will you embrace that?
God says He is pleased with you… will you smile because of that?
God says we need one another… will you live that out?
I’m not asking you to check your brain at the door and abandon all the questions you have. Nor am I suggesting that these things are a ‘fairy tale’ or just wishful thinking. Everything I mentioned above is from God for us written in His Word.
And because ALL of that (and so much more) are from God for us, maybe it’s time we take a step back and simply ask ourselves…
“Do I truly believe that what God says about Himself… about me… about ‘one another’ is actually true?”
And just so you know… simple things are not stupid things. Rather, what I hope you’ll discover afresh is that the simple things are often the most soul-satisfying things.
