Growing Down: Keeping the Childlike Faith
Growing Down: Keeping the Childlike Faith
Faith is often thought of as something that matures, grows, and becomes more refined with age and experience. Yet, there is deep spiritual value in embracing a "childlike faith"—a faith marked by simplicity, trust, wonder, and openness, characteristics typical of a child’s heart. In a world that pressures us to grow up quickly and complicate our beliefs, cultivating this kind of faith can be an intentional and transformative journey. This process, which we term “growing down,” invites believers of all ages to intentionally embrace the humble and trusting posture of a child before God.
What Does It Mean to Have Childlike Faith?
Jesus famously tells us in Matthew 18:3-4, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” The phrase “childlike faith” doesn’t mean naivety or ignorance; instead, it refers to qualities such as:
Trust: A child trusts their caregiver with complete dependence and confidence. Similarly, childlike faith anchors trust in God’s promises, goodness, and sovereignty.
Wonder: Children approach life filled with awe and curiosity. They delight in the small miracles around them, and their faith is alive with amazement at God's work.
Humility: Children accept their limitations and rely on others. Childlike faith is humble, acknowledging our need for God’s guidance and grace.
Openness: Children are open to learning and growing. Childlike faith is teachable, eager to receive the Word without cynicism or skepticism.
Keeping this faith is less about regressing and more about rediscovering these heart attitudes amidst the complexities of adult life.
Why Grow Down Instead of Always Growing Up?
Life often trains us to grow “up” — to be self-reliant, skeptical, and cautious. Faith, however, is relational and dynamic. If we only focus on intellectual growth or religious sophistication, we risk losing the heart posture that makes faith alive and vibrant.
“Growing down” is a spiritual discipline that calls us to:
Simplify our approach to God: Instead of complicated theologies or rigid formulas, growing down reminds us to approach God with a straightforward, trusting heart.
Release control: Like a child who trusts their parent to care for them, we learn to surrender anxieties and trust God’s timing.
Embrace vulnerability: Authentic faith is vulnerable and real, admitting doubts, fears, and questions openly.
Rediscover joy: Children naturally find joy in small blessings. Growing down helps adults reclaim this joyful awareness of God’s presence.
The more we “grow down,” the more our faith remains fresh, resilient, and deeply connected to God’s kingdom.
The Journey Begins with Embracing Simplicity
Much like launching a business or starting a creative project, the essence of growing down starts with an idea. Consider your faith journey similar to telling a story online. Just as you would share your unique story in your voice, your faith journey begins by embracing your personal and authentic relationship with God—without pretenses or overthinking.
Don’t Overthink It
One of the biggest obstacles to childlike faith is overcomplication. We often feel that faith must be intellectualized and perfected before it can be shared or lived out. But God’s grace is for each step, even the imperfect and uncertain ones.
Embrace faith as it is “right now.” Be clear and confident in your belief, but don’t feel pressured to have all the answers or to sound “professional” in your testimony. Like your website story that evolves with time, your faith story will continue to unfold and deepen.
Speak in Your Own Voice
Whether you communicate about your faith through prayer, conversations, or writing, make sure it is authentically yours. If you don’t hear your own voice in your expressions of faith, it’s a sign to slow down and reconnect with your heart. The authenticity invites others into your journey in a powerful way and honors the relationship between you and God.
Practical Steps to Cultivate Childlike Faith
1. Practice Trust Daily
Trust grows through experience and practice. Set aside moments each day to surrender your worries and remind yourself of God’s faithfulness. This could be through prayer, meditation on Scripture, or journaling instances where God has shown up in your life.
2. Foster a Sense of Wonder
Take time to notice God’s creation and small miracles around you. Children marvel at wonders because they pay attention without distraction. Try spending time outdoors, observing the details of nature, or reflecting on the goodness in everyday moments.
3. Be Humble Before God
Admitting that you don’t have all the answers is the key to maintaining a childlike posture in life. Stay humble and watch how God uses your life.
