Peter-Pan Faith

Peter Pan Faith

There is a growing problem in our world today, a moment in time that is becoming harder and harder for young people to face. It’s the transition from being a young person and becoming a young adult. If you have seen the movie “Toy Story 3” you have a good picture of what I am talking about. Young Andy is about to go off to college and he is struggling with what to do with his box of toys. Does he throw them all away, does he store them in the attic, does he take them to college with him. Andy is caught. It’s a very tough and scary moment when we begin letting go of our childish ways.

But the problem is not the tension of this moment, it’s actually the moment when young adults return home, unpack their stuff and retreat from adulthood. It’s called the “BOOMERANG” effect. Young people try the adult world and decide, “it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be.” So revert back to what they know and that is childish behavior.

The same tension and problem exist for many of us in the Christian faith. The same moment in time exist and it’s not easy. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17)

So being “like a child” is actually ok, in fact according to Jesus having a childlike faith is vital.

But in Hebrews (and other places) we are challenged to grow up.
12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. (Heb. 5:12-14)

You see it appears that we can’t stay like children forever, we are taught to grow up, mature in our faith and play a larger role in the mission of God.

The trouble is we have many “Boomerang” believers or “Peter-Pan” type Christians who want to stay young forever. That may sound cute or fun, but it’s a very serious matter. You see the struggle is to protect some of the great child-like qualities (awe, wonder, trust, honesty, passion, even imagination or dreams) without being “childish”. Is it possible that too many of us are pretending to be mature believers, when in fact are childish believers. What are we afraid of?
Is it possible to be a “Mature Jesus follower” and still have “Child-like faith”?

I believe so, and I believe it can be liberating and freeing thing.