O.J. and Crest

Matthew 18:2-3
He 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."

Sometimes I over think God.
I try to complicate having a relationship with Him.
Some think they have to know everything about Moses down to what he liked to eat before they are allowed to be close to Jesus.
We put pressure on ourselves to know every Bible story before we dare share Him with anyone else for fear of getting it wrong.
We compare ourselves to the likes of world known Bible teacher Beth Moore or the famous preacher Billy Graham and when we don't come close we shy away from who God wants us to be.


And really, all Jesus wants is for us to become like a child and just come to Him. That's it.



So my mind has been thinking on this. What did He mean when He pulled that child up to Him and told them...
Be.
Like this.



Our 7 year old Alivia's world is simple.



*When she worships Jesus it's for Him. She doesn't worry about those around her.
*The look on her face during worship at church is the same pure joy she has when I've walked in on her worshipping in her bedroom.
*She's the same behind closed doors and in public. It is what it is.
*She doesn't need to go on a 300 hundred dollar shopping spree she can't afford on a credit card to make her smile or feel better. Putting a quarter in a gum ball machine will do.
*Heartache to her is when she has to watch the ice cream truck roll by.
*Blessing is when she gets to buy overpriced ice cream curb side at her house.


The other day as I was braiding her hair, I was talking about something and I can't remember what it was, but I do remember that with all of her 7 year wisdom she shared this with me...



Mom,

It's kind of like...apples and oranges.
Cats and dogs.

Orange juice and toothpaste.


HUH?


Didn't make sense to me, but I could tell the way she looked at me she knew exactly what point she was trying to make.
To her it was simple.
I was trying to compare whatever my problem was and to her, there was no comparison.
They were complete opposites. And if you have ever taken a swig of O.J. after brushing your teeth, you know what she is talking about...the two don't go well together.


Just like an overcomplicated relationship we think Jesus wants with us versus a simple Jesus Loves Me joy filled relationship. They don't compare. One is forced, the other is what it is.




Don't get me wrong here, Jesus wants us to learn His Word. He wants us to know about Him and the people mentioned in the Bible, but we don't have to be scholars to be in relationship with Him. He wants you as is. The only requirement is that you believe in Him.
Jesus just wants us to come to Him.
Simply come.
Having a relationship with Him isn't about being religious. It's not about having all the answers.
It's about a friendship, a trust and a love like no other.

Trying to be all we think we should be with Him versus

how He wants us to be with Him is like...

apples and oranges

cats and dogs

and

orange juice and toothpaste.

Exact opposite of what He wants with us.

Don't over complicate Him. If you need help, sit in a child's Sunday school class and be like that.


Simplify.
And see where He takes you.


You just might find yourself chasing down the ice cream truck or wondering what color gum ball you'll get with your 25 cents.


I want to enjoy the simplicity of my relationship with Him.



Two years ago this winter, I became friends with Kelley through blogging. Last summer we flew to the She Speaks conference together. Over time we have gotten to know each other very well. She is someone I trust and love like I do my own sister. The neat part is that I didn't require her to know much about me at all before we flew to North Carolina nor did she put that demand on me. But it was on that trip, on the flights when we talked and got to know more of one another. It's been through e-mails, blogging, phone calls and weekend trips to each others homes that has made us feel like we've been a part of each others lives since day one. Our relationship is very simple and I love that.




Getting to know Jesus takes time. I shared in my last two posts about a woman named Charity who only months before her death when asked if she loved God said,"I really don't know Him."
BUT without knowing much about Him she was still willing to give her life to Him.
She was reassured she could come as is.
She didn't have to clean her life up first, she could just come.


When Alivia is outside playing and gets dirty I don't require her to get cleaned up before she steps foot in our house. Its after she comes inside that she gets cleaned up. She comes as is.




Simplify.

He just wants you.

As is.

"I tell you the truth unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

~JESUS~

~Many Blessings~