Simple – defined as “plain, basic, uncomplicated in form,
nature or design”. How often have we
heard grandparents and great-grandparents share, “I wish we could go back to
the simple life?” To be honest, there
are days when I say that myself. Days
when life wasn’t as complicated. With
constant technology and constant information streaming, we can find ourselves
distracted from a simple life and brought into a life of chaos and frustration.
Our lives can be filled with places to go, people to see, and
things to do which have replaced simple with complicated, difficult, confused, and
tricky. We may find ourselves thinking, “How
do we navigate our time to ensure all the kids get to their practices/events on
time?” or “I know it’s the weekend, but I need to respond to that work email or
get that project done!” In our attempt
to ensure we have as much as we can get, the idea of a simple life seems to
have evaded us.
During the forty days of Lent, the word ‘simple’ can be a
word one reflects upon. Our verse for
today can help us to do that. One
of our goals during Lent is to focus not on ourselves, but on Jesus and the
journey He took to the cross on our behalf, His children. Living a simple life can encourage us to live
with what we have, to be content. It
doesn’t mean that we can’t have wants or desires, but we don’t make those
things the ‘center of our universe’ and give up a focus on God or family. This is so much easier said than done. Yet, especially during Lent, it is our
opportunity to slow things down and realize that we can live with what we have
instead of over-extending ourselves.
The word simple can also reflect our faith. Once again, this can be an area where we over-complicate
things. To be honest, it is the intent
behind this blog that I started almost nine years ago. The goal is to share with others, and remind
me along the way, that God doesn’t want us to complicate His love for us or
the salvation we have in Him. He
chose us as His children, to love unconditionally. It is that simple. Many times, it is difficult for us to comprehend
this type of love as we are unable to ‘see’ it here on Earth. That is the beauty of God!
Our need for Jesus far outweighs anything else we may
need. Our need for forgiveness,
salvation, hope, faith and love is much stronger than the need for a new pair
of shoes or the house we can’t afford.
When Jesus becomes our focus, our reflection, our guide and our hope,
life is simplified. It can be hard to
believe that. Yet, there is one way that
this becomes very real – when we dive deeper into God’s word. When our time together with Jesus is found in
His words and His actions, we realize that a simple faith and a simple life can
be the most rewarding.
As we continue our Lenten journey, may we step back and
reflect on a simple life and simple faith.
May we take time away from the chaos and better understand the path
Jesus has for us. May we sit in prayer
and reflect on where we can simplify our lives and enjoy the moments of simple
faith.
Heavenly Father, our lives can become full of things,
full of thoughts, and full of actions.
We often do not take the time to simply be in union with you. Help us to reflect on moments where we can live
a more simplified life and realize that all you ask from us is to have simple
faith! Amen!
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