Bubbles, friends & Sunsets

There is a game we play; which fools all but one.

This game I call: adulthood.

Adulthood is something we tell our children they will one day enter. When that day comes we imply that they will have to be stronger, smarter, richer, and more independent. I am not suggesting that these are bad things, or that they are incorect. However, I wonder if we are suggesting that becoming an adult means to leave your childlike ways behind?

Theres something sweet about loving friendships, bubbles and sunsets. They represent, for me, opportunities to view life like a child once more. Because, I too have often fallen into the trap, the game, the facade of ‘being an adult’. I often spend my time trying to prove my strength, my wisdom, my independence and my seriousness. BUT WHY MUST WE BE SO SERIOUS?

When asking my dad (who has lived much more life than myself), ‘what advice would you give your younger adult self’, he replied, “Not to take myself too seriously”.

Why oh why do we take ourselves so seriously? Is life no more than getting a job, becoming the best at our job, paying our rent, buying the next best things and repeat?

What are the best parts about being a child? Think about it for a moment..
You’re free, more creative, adventurous, receptive, you’re willing to take a chance.
These are qualities that I pray we never loose, these are qualities I am learning to take back.

I think it is important for adults to seek wisdom, direction, to be responsible and to pursue their dreams. However, I do not believe we should be telling our young adults that they are to pursue a life of misery, which is disguised as ‘becoming a successful adult’.

Jesus says in Matthew 18:3, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Children know that they cannot do life alone, they are receptive to the help of others and what’s more, they embrace the beauty of life!

So to all the adults reading this (or the soon to be adults), I want to encourage you to reflect on your life and ask yourself these questions:

Am I playing the pretend game of adulthood or am I embracing my inner child, the real me?
Am I taking myself too seriously, or am I living authentically?
Am I honest with myself about needing help, friends and community or am I condemning myself to an isolated life all for the trophy of ‘independence’.

Wait.. but what about the kingdom of heaven thing you mentioned just now?

The kingdom of heaven is accessible to all the children of God. Which is also accessible to you, if you would like to become once again like a child. We all fall short of the glory of God and all deserved to bear the burden of the consequences of our own sins. Yet, Jesus paid all of our debts by dying the most painful death on the cross. Jesus rose again in three days and defeated death, making a way for all of us to have a relationship with the one true God, your Heavenly Father. He has extended the invitation to you to receive all that he has, like a child receives the inheritance of his/her father.

Romans 10:9

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Adulthood is a game we play, which I know fools all but one:
the one who calls us home.