I love simplicity. I love how it keeps the mind and body and soul uncluttered. I love how efficient it is. How freeing. It’s uncomplicated. It’s why my pixie haircut and my three pairs of Converse no-laces shoes make me happy. Simple and real.
God is a big fan of simple, too. When He says that His “yoke is easy” and His “burden is light” Matthew 11:30), He means it. And the reason for the light load is because it is made of a very short list of “to do’s”. Love God and love people. That’s it.
We long for simplicity, yet we always think things need to be more complicated than they really are. In Jesus’ day, some “religious” people asked Him this question: (Matthew 22:36-40)
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” They were trying to test and trick Him, always eager to point a “holier than thou” finger at Him. ( Ironic, isn’t it, the arrogance of people thinking they know better than God Himself?)
I love Jesus’ quick and sure response – “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.‘ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Isn’t that awesome? So simple. The arrogant, religious people who were so concerned with dotting all their i’s and crossing all their t’s regarding keeping the law, making life so complicated and difficult with man made rules and regulations, had missed what following God was really all about. And Jesus summed it up so succinctly. Relationship. Love God and love people. And, as He said, everything else we do comes from that place.
If I’m loving God and loving people as I should, then my motivations for everything I do will be where they should be. I won’t be making selfish, self-centered decisions. I’ll be looking out for the best interests of others and will be available for conversations and interactions and meaningful acts of service to those around me. I’ll be seeing the bigger picture of God’s plan and story in my life and the lives of others and will be more willing to step out of my own little world and truly live.
Loving God and loving people. It’s completely invigorating and allows us to live the life we were meant to live. A more simple, more real, yet incredibly rich and meaningful life.
Micah 6:8 (The Message) – “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously.”
Isn’t it nice to know with all other lists of “to do’s” that we have to do today, God’s list is so very short?
