Sometimes we can overcomplicate things, this happens to me all the time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been working on a project that I have constructed a huge elaborate plan for and my wife will walk in and turn on the proverbial light switch with a comment like “why don’t you just do this…”, suddenly my whole afternoon is free. Has that ever happened to you? You go to all this trouble and then realize it was a simple solution?
I often fall prey to the old acrostic K.I.S.S which stands for “Keep It Simple Stupid”. For instance, my wife and I have just had our first child. As you know baby’s come with “stuff”. Thankfully most of our stuff has been given to us and we are exceedingly blessed. With all of this new “stuff” comes the challenge of finding a place to put it. My natural solution: build a shed of course! I’ve always wanted a shed and I love working in the yard, this would be a perfect solution. I could level the yard, dig some footers, meet with the salesman to pick the perfect shed for my needs, order the parts and spend 3 weekends building, painting, roofing and landscaping. It would be my own little Taj Mahal! I’m half way out the door when Betsy looks at me, and with an endearing look of love, says, “You could just clean the garage you already have. You might be surprised how much room you find.” Ugh, she was right, so much for my Taj Mahal.
I heard a quote recently that I have been meditating on that says, “Don’t confuse activity with success.” Sometimes we think the harder we have to work for something the more successful the outcome. This just isn’t true.
I used to think that in order to be a good Christian, to really have a true relationship with God I had to follow a huge checklist. I had to get up at 4:00 every morning and spend two hours reading the Bible and another two hours praying before I could even have breakfast! I felt like in order to really serve God I had to have a big elaborate scheme, much like the plans for my shed. Have you ever felt that way? I think we all have from time to time, like if we run the gauntlet we will somehow be more valuable to God, somehow earn a little bit more of His love.
There is a story in the Bible where a man asks Jesus this question: “Out of all of the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus answers him, “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 of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” When I read these words I start to freak out a little bit…”but what about my plans, what about my Taj Mahal?” Then I start to realize perhaps I have overcomplicated things again. Maybe God doesn’t need all my elaborate plans and handy-man ideas about how to be a “better” Christian.
Love God, Love Others. That’s it, that’s the secret recipe.
Keep It Simple.
Have you ever visited the Taj Mahal? I had the privilege when I was in college. It’s quite something- one of those times when you just stand there and say…”wow, there it is…”. yet, when you walk up to it, and then look “inside” (and this is all my personal opinion- not intended to offend anyone or anything:))- it is mildly boring compared to the outside. and maybe that’s because everything is roped off to avoid tourist trampling— but even so- I think this would be how my insides would look if I continued to only work towards perfecting my outside- my check lists and my plans. Oh how hard it is to fight that impulse, but I want nothing more than for my Father to be pleased with what He sees inside– a heart that loves Him completely.
Loved what you shared. Thanks.
Thanks Cara! Your story about the Taj Mahal makes me sad and is a powerful example! Wow. Betsy and I really miss you guys. We’ll be up 3-4 times this summer so we should definitely get some hang time!