The Power of Simplicity

Lately I have felt a nudging in my heart about how powerful being simple before God can be in adjusting our perception of life -- in showing us what is important and what is not.

Here are some good examples:

1) Worshiping Jesus is important -- impressing people with your singing is not. But when you do flow with Him and you're called to minister in worship, He'll still equip you. In the end, people sitting under your ministry won't see a talented personality -- they'll experience someone touched by the Lord touching others with His love. I really want to sing from my heart to the Lord, without worrying about what the latest songs are -- where my primary concern is what the heartbeat of Jesus is for my life, for His church, for my friends and for the world. I want to really know Him. He doesn't need me to put on a show for Him in ministry -- He wants me to be a channel instead of His love.

2) Really helping people when they need it is important -- sitting around with others and discussing other people's problems is not. People in need need us to 'do life' with them. Our 'revelations' ring very hollow indeed when we see someone in need and don't lift a finger to help. When you meet a need you demonstrate God's love more than a million words of exhortation. Let's love others with a love that really counts -- where those who have financial needs are helped, where those who need an understanding ear are heard, where those who fail in life are told that it's OK -- God still loves them.

3) Being real is important -- saying all the right things to appear spiritual isn't. I really want to keep my life real before others -- a life that is not perfect, but one that depends on an unfailing love that comes from a Throne of Grace. I think the only thing worse than a spiritual flake is a spiritual fake.