“See, this alone I found, that God made human beings straightforward, but they have devised many schemes.”
Ecclesiastes 7:29 (NRS)
With infinite wisdom, the Creator made us to lead simple, uncomplicated lives. With very little wisdom, it seems, we have reordered everything around us so that our lives have become cluttered and convoluted. Is it any wonder that we wake up grumpy and ill? Is it any wonder that stress is the silent killer?
Is it possible that we have succumbed to advertising? Has commercial interests and agendas begun to set and drive our goals? Why are we restless and discontented? Has Hollywood made us dissatisfied with who we are and what we have? Pointed questions, I know but uncomplicated.
We are not super-Christians. Rather, we are ordinary people who follow Christ. As you well know, God works mightily through ordinary believers. Yes, we are spiritual beings, but the spiritual affects the physical. How are we physically connected to the physical life of Jesus? We are connected to his life when we practice his physical habits . . . Rest, relaxation, prayer, solitude, simplicity, worship, ministry to those in need, etc. Doing these “practices” in his name connects our lives to his.
Relative to today’s passage, let’s consider one of the Lord’s practices: simplicity. Simplicity is the practice of choosing between need and greed. It is a practice of accepting enough and rejecting excess. Simplicity runs patiently outside the proverbial rat race. But this practice, like all the others, is not about “our doing,” rather, it is about our trusting the One who lives in us and guides us daily.
Now, we know that ideal is great but we live with reality. The truth is, we can really live the ideal. We simply need to examine our lives and rid ourselves of the confusing complications. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace . . .” 1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV). If God didn’t create the confusion and complications in our lives, then who did? Why? What can we do about it? The wonderful news is this: the Holy Spirit in us empowers the Jesus habits. We imitate Christ because his Spirit lives in us! Surely, we want to live a life without any schemes.
Dear Father, thank you for your Spirit in us. Grant that we may yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit so that He may empower us fully to follow Christ. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today by simply following Jesus,