Affections. Lose them, and you have lost.

Alfred Eisenstaedt, most famous for his “V-J Day Kiss in Times Square” photograph, here captures sweet innocence and wonder in “Children Watching St. George Slay the Dragon at the Puppet Theater in the Tuileries,” (Paris, 1963).

The faces of these children certainly remind us of Jesus’ words about entrance into His Kingdom:

[15] Now they were bringing even infants to Him that He might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. [16] But Jesus called them to Him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. [17] Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”(Luke 18:15-17 ESV)

Whatever the fullest interpretation of this text would have us understand about the nature of Kingdom-entering faith, it at least means that our faith is flush with emotion. We love God. We desire to be in union with Christ. We long for the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us.

These children don’t hide their emotions with sophistication and culture. They watch the puppets do what they do … and the children respond to what they see.

Friend, how are your affections for God? If you are in Christ, God’s heart is toward you. And, He draws your heart to Him.