Devotionals for the Heart: A Lesson On Childlike Wonder and Heaven

Releasing Your Inner Child
A devotional by Jessica Collazo

“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 

– Mark 10:14(b)-15 (ESV)

My family and I recently visited Disney World.

As you can imagine, there was a lot of excitement leading up to the trip. As we spent the day at one of the parks, we entered an area dedicated to Star Wars. There was an experience that you actually had to register ahead of time to participate in, and well, my very determined husband was able to ensure that we secured a spot.

As we walked through the experience, my husband’s face lit up. There was an excitement and wonder on his face that cannot be described any other way than childlike. It was as if the little boy in him surfaced as he explored the exhibit. I took picture after picture of his reactions because there was a refreshing ease about him at that moment.

Without realizing it, the next day was my turn to have a similar experience. As we entered Magic Kingdom, and saw the Cinderella Castle, it was as if the little girl in me jumped out in excitement. There was a pure moment of joy that was unadulterated.

I reflected on those moments at the parks and felt that the Lord was reminding me to embrace that childlike excitement, but to focus it on Him. To allow myself to approach His throne with awe and wonder once again. Those moments at Disney were a small glimpse of reality for me. I was able to see that it is possible to allow my inner child to surface and experience God’s goodness in a pure simple way.

Life has a way of making us forget about the simple things that bring a smile to our faces. As kids, we are in a hurry to grow up, because we think that there is freedom that comes with adulthood. However, as adults, we tend to get bogged down with the troubles that this world brings us and we quickly lose the awe and wonder that we had as children.

If life has you a little uneasy these days or maybe even feeling a little hopeless, I urge you to pause and try to think about the last thing that took your breath away or brought you pure excitement. Think about something that made you remember God and His faithfulness.

Let’s Pray: Father God, thank you for the reminders all around us that you are a good Father. Lord, allow us to see things with childlike eyes, to look at you and your creation with awe and wonder, and to allow the child in us to believe in you when the troubles of this world try to distract us and keep us from you. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Jessica Collazo is a Chicago native with a heart that beats for Jesus.

Her passion is to challenge women to think differently, gain a new perspective and live confidently. Because she knows, it’s possible. 

Using God’s Word, a little bit of humor, strategic way of thinking and personal stories, Jessica offers a fresh take on where to go when women feel stuck, overlooked or overwhelmed.

Jessica’s greatest passion is to help women take off the identities they have been given by the world and realize who they are in Christ: known, dearly loved, set apart, and chosen.

Jessica is the senior manager of operations at Proverbs 31 Ministries who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, Jerry, two sons and dog, Sawyer. Prior to working at Proverbs 31 Ministries, Jessica has over 10 years of experience working in women’s ministry, marriage ministry and outreach.

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Connect with Jessica:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jessicacollazo/
Website: https://jessicacollazo.com