Simplify is such a beautiful word. But it feels humanly impossible.
Yet it's so simple. Ha. Well, that is the root word: SIMPLE.
Simplifying is simple...
...for the Christian. It's not in yoga, meditation, zen, feng shui, or even a pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps type of "mind over matter."
"For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
~ Apostle Paul, I Corinthians 2:2
Just Jesus. That's it. Only Him. His Person. WHO He IS. (Think, attributes.)
Saint Patrick, a Bible believing (non-Catholic) missionary to Ireland, can truly be called "Saint" just as you and I are called "saints" from the moment we repent of our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour (I Corinthians 1:2). It was Saint Patrick who penned the beautiful prayer:
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Yes, this is the secret to simplifying life. In everything, it's just Jesus.
It's a choice.
Every moment, I can choose to talk to Him about everything, no matter how simple or mundane.
He cares about helping me plan my day as a busy homemaker with young children (Psalm 57:2).
He cares about my hurt feelings (Deuteronomy 33:27).
He puts His arms around me when I'm lonely (Psalm 107:9).
He reassures me when I second guess what I know is right (Proverbs 16:20).
He comforts me when I'm sad (Psalm 36:7).
He knows and understands my innermost thoughts. (Check out Psalm 139!)
He forgives me readily when I confess my sin (I John 1:9).
HE can live the Christian life through me. I can't (Galatians 2:20).
Yes, all this and so much more! Jesus is my Best Friend, and He lives in me!!
That's the most amazing thing! The power that raised Jesus from the dead resides inside of me, ready to {not help me} LIVE HIS LIFE THROUGH ME, His yielded vessel. He's not living in me to add to the good I can do. "For I know that in me that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing..." (Romans 7:18). It's important for me to consciously know that in myself, I am nothing. Not to degrade myself, but to release me from the pressure to perform! I yield to HIM, and HE does it all! Any good that comes from me is actually HIM!
Why is that such a big deal?
Because the truth is, I don't have to strive or try to do better or be better. I myself don't do anything. Moment by moment every single day, I very simply put my hands up in surrender and yieldedness to the ONE PERSON Who CAN do anything. The question is, do I really believe He can and will do it (Romans 6:8)? Will I yield myself completely to His control?
Will I allow HIM to take care of the children?
Will I allow HIM to do the laundry, clean the house, do the dishes, and run errands?
Will I allow HIM to be kind to that person who is annoying me?
Will I allow HIM to be patient with my child?
Will I allow HIM to love that person who seems unlovely to me?
Will I allow HIM to plan my schedule to the minute, trusting He is in control of what gets done?
Will I allow HIM to... {you fill in the blank}.
Life is simple: it's simply the Saviour.
Just Jesus.
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