Why Does a Baby Smile?

    My wife, youngest son and I were on vacation last week. I have a funny way of relaxing on weekends when I am not preaching. I go to as many churches as I can. Believe it or not, my wife enjoys it as well (not sure that the kids saw it the same way growing up). So this last weekend, we visited three different churches between Saturday night and Sunday morning. We enjoyed great corporate worship with fellow believers of other congregations, learned about some different ways of going about ministry, and heard some really good messages from the Bible.
    But I have to tell you about one of the most profound illustrations I witnessed. Jesus used to love using children as object lessons in his teaching, and He did that for me last Sunday. I was sitting in a service behind a young family with an infant. I couldn’t help but notice the interaction between Dad and little boy. This baby was just old enough to begin smiling, and you could tell he was new at it. He stared at his father’s face just waiting to make eye contact and every time his father looked down, the corners of the infant’s mouth curved upward. Over and over I saw that baby go from smiling to staring to smiling and staring again. When his father was looking at the pastor, the baby just stared at Daddy’s face, waiting for him to make eye contact. When Dad looked down at his child, the baby grinned. He seemed to crave a connection with the man and he knew he would get it by smiling.
    Babies learn this very early in life. They get added affection and attention when they smile. (I know, they get it when the cry, too, which is all the more reason to give more attention for smiling than for crying!) Anyway, children have an innate desire to connect with other people. It’s something God created us all a craving for. We were created to be social beings and God takes joy in our bonding with one another.
    That’s one of the reasons He founded the church. God did not send His Son only to save you, He sent Jesus to procure a family! He wants you to be part of His family, which is what the Church is, God’s family. The Bridge exists to connect people with God AND to connect people with people.
    That’s why we keep saying that church is not a spectator event. Going to church is a weekly family activity to honor The Father together! That’s why we keep saying, “Everyone in the church should be committed to a small group!” It’s in the context of small groups where relationships are formed and family bonds are fortified. That’s why we also say that every Christian should have place of service in the church. Being part of the family means serving others and sharing in the family chores, so to speak.
    Like that little boy seeking to connect with his daddy, you’ve been created with an inborn need to relate with other people. Jesus established His church to fulfill that need. So come on, be part of the family. Be faithful in attending every Sunday. Join a small group. And get involved in a ministry where you can love and serve others. That’s what the church is all about!