Salvation n stuff

My kids are quite the comedy show these days; Kate is nearly 10 and Lily just turned 6, so to see life through their lens is always a treat. Yesterday, we were talking about salvation and what guarantee's you a place in Heaven someday as it's been something Kate has been thinking about a lot lately. Kate confirmed that she has Jesus in her heart and asked Lily, in a big sister "Nacho Libre, I'm concerned about your salvation n stuff" sort of way, if Lily had Jesus in her heart. Lily scrunched her nose and said she didn't know, even though we have this conversation quite regularly! She then quickly recalled the time she was Four years old and I sat on her bed and we prayed. Phew, Kate was relieved her family would all be joining her in Heaven one day.

Lily said, "what about daddy?"

I did not say a word, I just wanted to see how the conversation would play out.

She says, "you know, I'm not so sure about daddy, he does have a knife in his office you know!"

It's a decorative sword he has displayed on a shelf, but she said she envisions her dad taking a break from studying in his office to pull out the knife and wield it around like a crazy person!

And he probably does do that.

I love conversations like that with my kids, conversations that challenge them to ponder the things of God and how it all works into this crazy life here on earth. I also loved that not one of the girls said "Daddy is a Pastor, of course he has Jesus in his heart." To my girls, he is simply "daddy." Sure the conversation then turned to the girls suggesting that daddy hold a summer camp that teaches people how to preach, of course, Joey loved hearing he is the best preacher. A knife wielding preacher, that is.

I love how simple salvation is. I love that the Bible says in Romans "that if you confess with your mouth, and believe in your heart, that you will be saved."

Yep, it is indeed that simple. That's why a person can be on their death bed, cry out to Jesus in the last flailing moments of life, and if a genuine belief rises in their heart, eternity in Heaven is their very next step. In the same token, this simplicity is why a young child can accept Jesus and grow up living a life that reflects that simple salvation.

It is simple. But it's not always easy. Why? Because you so desperately want to play with knives? Well, no. BUT, we have to believe. That's not always easy for us to do, is it. Because if we believe in someone then we have to actively put our trust in them. So when difficulty arises in our lives, it's very easy for dis-belief to set it in and we begin to question what we ever believed in to begin with.

When we face struggles and sin is standing at our door, we question if our belief is worth more than the feeling that sin will bring us.

When God does not answer our prayers according to our expectations, we wonder if what we believe in was ever true at all.

Oh these sentences pain me to even write but the reality of the feeling is so true for many.

When we go to Disneyland, my girls become enamored with all things make believe! It's all about Princess' and Castles and Characters and magical stuff right? Forget that someone is stuffed into a giant character head all sweaty and unable to breath well. Forget that once the park closes, the germs have to be cleaned out, the trash has to be emptied and reality comes alive once again.

It's so fun to believe, isn't it? To just see life through the eyes of a kid and simply believe. Let's do that today, shall we. Let's simply believe. Let's believe that God is who He says He is. Let's believe that we are made righteous through the blood of Jesus. Let's believe that we can conquer any mountain of difficulty that comes our way. Let's believe that if God is for us than nobody can be against us. Let's believe that Jesus loves us with an everlasting love that won't fade away nor will it be based on our performance. Let's simply accept His sweet salvation n stuff...

And probably don't play with knives. Otherwise my 6 year old will greatly question your salvation...