Demolition or Support

Now I know you may find it hard to believe, but I (Scott) like the think about stuff. A lot. Sometimes over and over. And over. Recently I participated in the Overcoming Overthinking Challenge by Jon Acuff, based on his upcoming book Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking. It was great! And it made me think. (Surprise!) [[Note: I am not connected to Jon Acuff in any way. Except as a reader and follower.]

I've been thinking a lot about support and encouragement in regard to our ideas and dreams. Do you know what happens when a friend shares an idea or an accomplishment in a group of young kids? They respond with fascination: "Really? Can you show me how? Tell me what you did!" Kids may share their own experiences: "I did that too!" They give support: "That is really cool!"

How do many adults respond when someone shares an idea? "Good luck with that. Did you think about all these drawbacks that could happen? You're such a dreamer. That won't work. That's nothing new."

Kids offer support. Adults offer dynamite. (Okay, now I sound like Jon. I must have been listening to him too much lately!)

I want to be more kid-like. I hope I can be encouraging and supporting. I hope I can listen with a heart and mind that doesn't immediately demolish fragile starting points with problems and what ifs. Yes, I need to be honest when evaluating an idea - if that's what the person has asked me to do.

I wonder if this is what Jesus meant when he said that we must come to God's kingdom as little children. Children are filled with wonder. They trust and believe. They are ready for any adventure.

We adults are often cynical or doubting or defeated. We see a million ways things won't work or could go wrong. We want the roadmap instead of the journey.

In the preschool world, anything is possible. You try stuff, skin your knee once in a while, and keep at it. But you can't live that way in the adult world. Or can you? Isn't that what living a life of reckless obedience is all about?

[Jesus] said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 18:3