Covenant Community Services
Childlike Faith
Dependence and God June 12, 2010
Greetings!
 
Royal Family Kid's Camp (RFKC) 2010 of Kern County was a tremendous success. The 48 foster children that went to RFKC experienced an amazing week of love, hope and fun in the cathedral of the outdoors. Thank you to each of you that prayed, gave and served. It was well worth the investment as children's lives were transformed. For more information, go to www.covenantcs.net and read the blog about RFKC.
 
One of the many reasons I love RFKC is the exchange of hearts with foster children aged 6-12 years old. These children have no preconceptions about the size of God. In fact, many of them have little or no knowledge of God. It is a privilege and honor to bring awareness through loving acts of kindness, hope and care. It is a absolute joy to lead the team of 50 volunteers that do the "work" of sharing their life, and thus the life of Jesus, with each child.
 
Each year at RFKC I am blown away by the statements foster children make to and about God. This year, we had a young 8 year old boy ask God during prayer if He "slept well" last night. Another young camper wrote this in his "Dear God" letter, "Dear God, I am sorry that they killed Jesus. You must be sad." How sweet. How innocent. How pure!
Having the faith of a child
 
3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
 
~ Matthew 18:3-5 ~
RFKC reminds me to "dumb down"
 
Life is crazy and fast paced. We have constant information at our fingertips yet not enough time to make it matter. Anyway, what is the eternal worth of all of it? At RFKC, the simple becomes clear. Love Jesus, Love people! Simple, pure, child like, and focused.
 
Adulthood is overrated. Being a child is carefree, or it least it should be. The hidden treasure of RFKC is witnessing foster children that have real cares and burdens lay them down while being loved by safe, caring and compassionate followers of Jesus. The children of RFKC remind me of the children Jesus spoke of in the reading from Matthew 18.
 
The disciples were attempting to discern the leadership structure of God's Kingdom. Jesus made it simple. Become like a child. I think He was telling us to slow down, dumb down and enjoy life as it comes. To be like a child we must act like children. So, what do children do that will help us become more childlike in our faith?
 
  1. Children depend on others - no child ever makes it through life alone. Every child has parents, mentors, teachers, coaches and family that invest into their life and future. We must find our dependence in God.
  2. Children seek forgiveness and forgive - I remember when my children were "true" children prior to 6 years old and they were so quick to apologize and had such tender hearts. I believe it is the plan of the enemy to numb this as we grow older and it's only result is pride. Children are rarely prideful.
  3. Children have a great perspective of a great God - children don't place limits on God. They truly believe He can do anything!
  4. Children imitate those they love - I recall my kids wanting to be a "worker" or a "mommy". Children look up to and long to be like those they see. We need to long to be like Jesus and desire to act like God our Father.
 
Friend, engage your childlike faith and express your dependence on a great big God by becoming small like a child.  
 
For King and Kingdom,
 

Randy Martin 
661-326-8304