I Want My Innocence Back

The other day I found myself playing Xbox on one tv, with a snowy backdrop and Christmas sounds on another. Even though my joy of playing videos games is gone, I still retreat there at times because it takes me back to my childhood. As we get older, I think we all crave that innocence of our early years, and resent the harsh realities of this world that over time, and sometimes swiftly, steal it away.

Matthew 18:2-4 says...
"Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

The innocent mind of a child is the best representation of the love God calls us ALL to have for one another. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves, as a child would. With innocence and grace.

But this world is intentionally trying to sabotage the innocence of our youth. It has stolen MY INNOCENCE.
It seems every day brings a new trial, but the more they come, the more the words written in James 1:2-3 resonate, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

The more we are tested, the more we are forced to draw closer to the Lord, and that faith brings strength and perseverance.
The alternative is letting it foster bitterness, resentment, pride, and separation from the childlike love that our Creator calls us to have for others.

Non believers tend to fall that way, but I’m seeing those who call themselves believers fall into this trap as well.

People would rather gossip behind a friend’s back, then confront a difficult conversation with a brother or sister. We are called to sharpen one another within the faith, and sometimes that means sharing tough love to allow growth.
The toughest lessons I’ve learned in life have come from being confronted with aspects of myself that i didn’t want to hear, that made me feel judged or belittled. But ultimately, they were my greatest sources of growth and I thank God for them, and the people brave enough to confront me.

We can’t continue to live comfortably in ignorance to pridefully protect our “innocence.” We can’t hide behind “our own peace” when those around us have been afflicted by our words. Having a childlike innocence and speaking truth in love are necessary elements in this world if we are to become purified in our sanctification- to then b3come better reflections of Christ.

Malachi 3:2-4
"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in days of old and years gone by…"

We must allow the Lord to refine us humbly, through the fire...
We must come as children to the throne of grace...