The Dependency of a Child

Mark 10:13-16

One of the foster kids we had came to us when he was 2 years old. He had been taking care of himself with absentee parents, but now that he was in a family, he had to relearn to be a kid. This didn’t sit well and led to crazy tantrums. He had grown up and learned to depend on himself. This is a tragedy and the exact opposite of what Jesus taught.

Today’s passage really hits on the importance of dependency. We mentioned that last week while talking about depending on God for our righteousness and this week we are doubling down on the principle even more. True dependency puts us in the position of a child: in need and willing to accept help – no questions asked. Let’s break that down a bit. God is looking for us to depend fully on Him, which we actually do already – the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat all comes from His provision. But because we grew up and see that it’s our lungs moving in and out, our hands that pick the food and carry the water, we lose the idea of dependency and we gain the notion of independence.

Children Ask

Rugged Individualism. This is the very notion that has defined our country since its inception. We don’t need anyone for anything. We will figure it out on our own, get it done ourselves, and heaven help anyone who tries to get in our way with an offer to help – they’ll just slow me down. That is the very definition of pride and the exact opposite of dependency, which is like kryptonite to adults. As we grow we become too proud to ask for help. Maybe its our overdeveloped sense of responsibility, or hurt from times in the past we got rejected, but at some point we stop asking. Instead, we take on the world ourselves and bear the weight of our burdens alone. Maybe we assume everyone is carrying their own stuff and feel wrong to put that on others. Either way, we stop asking. Consider the Blind Bart story from Mark 10:46-52; he cried out and out to the embarrassment of those around him. Jesus responded to him because he was willing to ask for help. Jesus wants us to ask for help. Paul tells us we can call God “daddy” (Abba, Father)! We just need to ask Him. Maybe you don’t receive because you don’t ask.

Children Accept

Or maybe you ask and maybe people even offer, but then you get stumped because you must then accept what’s offered. Accepting is a very hard thing. Maybe you don’t want to be a burden on others, or don’t want to be seen as a person that needs help from others (after all, you’re a giver, not a receiver). Being the youngest in the family compared to my oldest brother showcases our biggest difference – willingness to receive. My oldest brother always had to do it on his own. As the youngest, I definitely had an easier time accepting things, but even still it’s an awkward thing to do, especially now. We are taught to be givers. The reality is though that if we can’t accept, we lose. Consider the paralytic whose friends let him down to Jesus in Mark 2. Had he not let them do that, he would have never been healed. We have to accept to receive. And since eternal life cannot be earned, it has to be accepted. Or you lose.

Children Don’t Analyze

It can be difficult for us to accept things, and when we do, the real challenge starts. We have to peek behind the curtain and make sure they can afford it, or that it won’t put them out. It has to make sense to us. This is because, as adults, we have to analyze everything. We grow to lose that blind trust in the goodness of a git and have to analyze its validity or potential or impact, whatever our problem with it may be. Life is a little less brighter once we start asking HOW. Instead of accepting the gift we are driven to find out the science behind it, then usually try to recreate it ourselves. Naaman analyzed the merits of dipping into the Jordan and how simple of a fix that would be in 2 Kings 5, but the girl who offered Elisha as an option simply knew there was someone who could fix it and sought the solution. We don’t need to know the details of why or how something works. It’s ok to just trust God’s hand.

Next Steps

A child isn’t innocent (no one is), but they are dependent. This is what Jesus is looking for! Your dependency. For you to ask, accept, and trust His hand – don’t question His ways, instead enjoy His gifts.

1. Ask God for something this week. Give Him a chance to wow you.
2. Accept the next time someone offers you a gift. Be ok with receiving.
3. Read 2 Kings 5 and learn Naaman’s lesson. Don’t worry about the balance sheet.

As a kid, we think when we grow up that we will see the world in all its glory, but the reality is the opposite. I wish I could have not grown up as fast as I did, I wish the same for my kids, and for you – see if you can find a way back to the joy of dependency like a child. You’ll find an amazing God there!