Getting Simple

Some time back I wrote about "Keeping it Simple," trying to point out some reasons our lives get too complicated and some examples of complication that hurt us.  But how to simplify life in a way that matters?

Here's an idea I read recently:  "Does it bring you closer to Jesus Christ?  Throw out everything that doesn't."  (From "Measuring What Matters" at www.BuildingChurchLeaders.com.)  That could make a lot of sense.  How would outright sin bring us closer to Jesus?  Or when we think in ways that lead to sin, or let movies or music or books or friends influence us in ways that lead to sin?  But if we're trying to be diligent, how do we avoid everything that might not lead us closer to Jesus?  If we wrap ourselves in bubble-wrap and never answer the phone or go outside, how can we have a productive life?  If we deny everything, what's left?

Being a disciples of Jesus Christ is like being an apprentice - learning how to do what the Master does.  We can find his example in Scripture, and try to do what he did.  But more than that, he's alive and busy even today, so we should look for him in everything and try to contribute.  So Christian life is more than not doing things, it's doing right things.

Paul describes old life/new life as like taking off old, dirty clothes and putting on fresh new ones, in  Colossians 3:8-10:  "But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him."  And in Romans 12:2 Paul writes "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

Christian discipleship isn't like living in bubble wrap -- it's more like putting on a pair of gloves and getting to work.  If our lives are full of activities that help us follow Jesus, like prayer, meditation and the other spiritual disciplines, those will draw us into his will and help us see him in everything.  This is not a frantic effort to jam every minute with activity -- it is deliberately setting out to serve our Master, which draws us away from those things that don't.  Confused about which is which?  Reading scriptures describing Christlike behavior, and praying for guidance, helps a lot.  Still confused?  Maybe I can help!