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I had a rather good catchup with Peter and Amos over lunch the afternoon before at Holland Village... it's just amazing time and again to know that one's in his final leg of junior college life and another's done with his first term in polytechnic, when it seems just like yesterday when they're in secondary one. Hahaha...

We eventually came to the topic of childlikeness. Peter shared that his dance instructor said of him, that he should not be gullible because the world would swallow him up. We began to talk of how politicking and backstabbings thrive in the secular world today, and how we might have been too comfortable in our own worlds in the past to realise that. I for one have begun to understand this a little bit more as I step forth into the working world.

We are not called to be participants of such, but to be true to Him in all our dealings, and more importantly, to reflect Him in whatever places we've called to. It's not so much about being gullible and giving others the liberty to step on you... but retaining the childlikeness of heart, being vulnerable, laying bare to people and circumstances around you with discernment, yet knowing that He shall be the One who will keep us from all harm.

I remember writing about this before... so I did a search. :P

I looked through all my past years' October 1st entries... and realised that I have yet to write something on Children's Day before. Funny. Haha... yeah. To all children out there (and my students included though they don't exactly celebrate this day anymore) - HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY! XD

As an adult, it's easy for me to be sucked into the monotony and stresses that adulthood may entail - but ultimately, we all know that despite all the things that life throws at us, much of how we react and respond depends very much on the perspective that we have of life.

Certain things, once said, will always remain in the heart. Perhaps it was a desire so genuine and longed for... that He's heard and so graciously made it part of my life... and I'm just thankful and hopeful that even when it's ten or twenty years down the road, He'll still allow it to be part of who I am in Him.

What is it? Haha...

I once told a sister in Christ (who is now faithfully serving Him in a faraway land... Hahaha) that I really hope that the childlikeness that I had then would never fade away as I grow up... Haha. Yeah. I actually feared that I would grow up to be a jaded young man, get myself caught in the silly rat race, go to work and yet not knowing where I'm going, settle into the mundaneness of life... and worst of all, find myself drifting from Him, that as I grow I will not be able to go before Him as transparent as before, as childlike as before anymore.

I guess Children's Day each year's a pretty good day to do a self check and evaluation. I really wonder why I didn't think of this the past years. :P

"He (Jesus) called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" - Matthew 18:2-4

Faith like a child. I remember a faint analogy that speaks of the president as the most powerful figure in the country, yet his baby toddler can simply crawl into his office in the midst of a meeting, climb up unto the table, smile at his father and instead of being carried away, receive a hug from his dad.

"Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.' When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there." - Matthew 19:13-15

Faith like a child. Children represent the purity of heart - they have yet to be tainted by the things of the world. Innocence is their prized possession.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." - Matthew 5:8

Peter, one of my dear youths (who is in the midst of taking his JC1 promotional exams), always like to make use of Matthew 19:13-15 to justify his childish acts sometimes... Haha. Lightheartedness aside, I really hope that as he grows up, that childlikeness in him for Him shall remain. He's starting to feel the stresses like never before as a junior college student... and as one grows older and responsibilities get dumped upon one's shoulders, it just gets tougher each day. So yeah. Jia you! :)

"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. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.'" - Matthew 11:25-26

That I may come before You Pa always... like a child. :)

That you may go before Him always too... like a child. One day. :)

LIKE A CHILD
by Jars of Clay

Dear God, surround me as I speak,
the bridges that I walk across are weak
Frustrations fill the void that I can't solely bear
Dear God, don't let me fall apart,
you've held me close to you
I have turned away and searched for answers I can't understand

They say that I can move the mountains
And send them crashing into the sea
They say that I can walk on water
If I would follow and believe
with faith like a child

Sometimes, when I feel miles away
and my eyes can't see your face
I wonder if I've grown to lose the recklessness
I walked in light of you

"I've got joy like a fountain!"
"Be kind one to others"
"In Jesus Christ Your son"

They say that love can heal the broken
They say that hope can make you see
They say that faith can find a Savior
If you would follow and believe
with faith like a child