Faith & Insight: Reconsider your 'back pages'

They were not empty words merely blowin' in the wind. When Bob Dylan penned "My Back Pages" he was ready for a change. He had been taking himself much too seriously and he had tired of being the prophetic voice for his generation. His desire was to return to a simpler time when life was less complicated and more fulfilling. He wrote "I was so much older then. I'm younger than that now."

Is it possible that we take ourselves too seriously? Is it possible to return to a simpler and more fulfilling life? Not only is it possible, but the Bible declares that we must.

Jesus taught, "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Again He warned, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again." The Apostle Paul adds that we "may live a new life" and that in Christ we become "a new creature."

Give it a try. Try being more childlike, not childish, but childlike. Like a child, refuse to worry and humbly put your faith and trust in the Lord. Like a child, love unconditionally and forgive quickly. Like a child, explore God's creation and be dazzled by it. Like a child, refuse to allow the blessings of today to slip through your fingers while attempting to take hold of tomorrow. Like a child, dream big dreams and don't forget to say your prayers.

Pick up that old Bible and read it again through the eyes of a child. Perhaps then, you too will be able to sing with Mr. Dylan, "I was so much older then. I'm younger than that now."

• The Rev. Ken Haskins is pastor of First Christian Church in Carson City.