The theology of a 4 year old

My kids are pretty awesome.  Don't get me wrong, they have their moments where I would gladly set them out on the front porch with a sign that reads, "Free to a good home" but overall they are good boys.  I love to see the world through their eyes and experience things on their level with them.

Sunday night I was trying to catch up on The Bible miniseries that aired on the History Channel recently.  I was down to the last episode...Passion...and it depicted the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.  Colin wandered in and climbed up on the bed with me to watch.  He was very quiet. 

Then it got to the part where Jesus walked down the road, carrying his cross.  When the image flashed on the screen Colin took in his breath and said very quietly..."Oh, Jesus..."  I said nothing and we kept watching but I watched him closely.

They took the nails and began to hammer them in and Colin sat up and watched intently.  At one point he lowered his head and said again, "My poor Jesus..."

When the cross was lifted up in the air Colin turned to me and said, "Oh no.  I can't take it, Mommy."  We turned the movie off and talked for a little while and he explained to me that Jesus was not a bad guy and they treated him like he was but that he still let them kill him with a cross because he loves us.

I know Colin is 4.  I know he doesn't understand theology.  He can't explain to me the Trinity or a list of doctrine.  But what I do know is he knows Jesus loves him. 

At his last check up he had to get 4 shots.  Before the nurse came in he looked at me and said, "Mommy...call Mr. Kevin right now.  Tell him to pray for me."  He knows how to lean on people he trusts and ask them to walk with him in his fear.

When he had a bad day at school recently he asked me to pray for his heart that God would take out the mad and put in happy things.  He knows who to turn to to ask for help in his disobedience.

During Communion he will always lean over and tell me, "That's the blood, Mommy.  It's really grape juice but you pretend and remember it is Jesus' blood.  That cracker is his body and his bones.  One day, I'll have Jesus in my heart too and I'll remember."  He understands remembrance of what Christ did for us. 

If you ask him why there is sin and ugly things in the world he will tell you, "Because the devil told Even a terrible lie...and she believed him..." 

Of course he is a 4 year old little boy and he makes bad choices and tries my patience...but his heart gets it and for this I am so glad and excited to see how his faith develops as the rest of him catches up with his heart. 

Easter Wrap-Up

I love Easter.  I love the newness.  I love the meaning.  I love the ending of one story and the beginning of another.  I love the time with family.  I love standing in church, thinking about the cross.

But...for me, Jesus is alive 365 days a year...not just on Easter.  It's great to see the reminders and it is great to give it special space in my head on Easter but am I living my life every single day like Jesus is alive?  Am I excited every single day to tell people Christ is risen? 

Am I willing to put myself out there and stand up for what I think is right...even if I'm standing alone?  Am I willing to be transparent and show the grace God has given me in my life or do I want to hide behind a mask of perfection to the outside world because I'm worried about what they think?

Do I judge people just because they sin differently than I do?  Do I accept that Christ died for us WHILE we were yet sinners?  There was nothing we had to do first...it was not conditional.

Am I constantly checking my motivations and trying to have integrity in my life?  A half-truth is a whole lie.  Truth fears nothing but concealment.  The truth may hurt but it is the lie that leaves the scar.

So while it is amazing to celebrate Easter and remember what it means...I want to strive to have that in my life 365 days a year.