The dictionary defines simple as something that does not have complications or difficulties. That word would never be used to explain my life. Between work, play, ministry, my wife and just one baby I cannot call my life simple. I have wants, desires and personal issues that further complicate my life. It has easily been more than 20 years since my life was simple and maybe yours too.
At 15 I started traveling to various places and after many years I realized that it was easier and faster to travel without lots of luggage. When I started living alone here in this country I realized that having many things was going to make my life much more complicated and difficult to move around. Reflecting on this time in my life makes one truth stand out…It was so much simpler when I had only one suitcase of clothes! In our lives we often carry lots of luggage that we don’t need. We carry baggage that is both emotional and material but Jesus invites us to lighten the load by living simple lives.
I remember when Jesus said to Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things…”. Another time Jesus taught His disciples to trust in our heavenly father when he said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him”. Jesus is clear with Martha, the disciples and even with us; we don’t have to carry these burdens. Each day we have things in life that we need to let go that will improve and keep improving our lives. Paul writes to the believers in Ephesus inviting them to stop with their old habits. The writer of Hebrews says, “We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses; let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Obedience to these commands leads to simplicity. It’s not rocket science but often we use overly complicated methods to achieve peace treating our lives like a complicated science project when it could all be so simple.
We only have to decide how we want to live. What are we ready to give up? What are we ready to let go of and surrender? What are we willing to change about our spiritual lives? The answers to these questions are not just expressed spiritually but also in how we surrender material things and wealth to God so that we gain a life of peace and tranquility.
In front of us is an invitation to change how we think and act. We can depend on ourselves or we can get rid of all the anxiety and stress by depending on God. This is an invitation to a life filled with thanksgiving and prayer; but the greatest blessing is simplicity and peace. I am choosing to give up everything so that I can gain a better life because one day I want to be able to say like Paul, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances”. Only then can I truly “seek first the Kingdom of God” knowing that He will bless me with all that I need.
