February 11th, 2011
Simplicity???
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “To be simple is to be great.” Not exactly your typical religious thought or daily devotional, but it should be. When asked a direct question about the law and the prophets, Jesus took the simple approach. He boiled all of theology down to two commands; love God and love your neighbor. Simple, isn’t it? But, isn’t Jesus forgetting something? Isn’t religion complicated and confusing? Indeed, it is. That’s precisely what makes Jesus’ statement so great, it’s profound simplicity. Love God and your neighbor.
We tend to look down on simple as childish or beneath us. To be called a “simple” person is not a compliment. And “simple-minded” is often euphemistic for stupid or uneducated. Yet, that’s exactly how Jesus presented Himself to the world. His instructions to the disciples were simple; “Follow me.” When He taught, He used simple stories that people understood. Sure, He knew great theology, but He kept it simple. Maybe that’s why huge crowds followed Him everywhere He went.
I think we are attracted to simple. We like people that explain complex things in a simple manner, and we like complicated high tech toys - as long as they are simple to use. What if that was our goal for the New Year – simplicity? What if, instead of making resolutions that frustrate us, we got simple and did it Jesus’ way? Just love God and our neighbors. Maybe something great will happen!
If you are interested in what comes from my brain (good luck), you can find it here. I think I have "enabled" the ability for people to respond or give an opinion. Please be nice and respectful to everyone that posts. I hope everyone contributes, and please be patient as I learn how this works.
