Simplicity as Success

One of the benefits of being a stay-at-home mom so many years was access to resources and materials. My brain was ready to learn and grow even while my body was spent.

 Book after book, page by page, with no particular destination or goal, I devoured thought-provoking, otherwise difficult reading. Hour after hour I listened to Christian radio and speakers. Thoughts, questions, and applications stirred in my mind as I scrubbed floors, folded laundry, tended to children and country chores.

 J.I. Packer's, A Quest for Godliness, was one of the most impactful. Of the words and thoughts which escape me, the message I still carry is: keep it simple. The more common and everyday our speech, the more effective we are in communicating the truth of the gospel. This was Paul's example:

 And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come as someone superior in speaking ability or wisdom, as I proclaimed to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I also was with you in weakness and fear, and in great trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of mankind, but on the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

 Ironically, J.I. Packer is not known for his simple presentation; in today's society Puritans aren't either. But that was their focus and goal--to preach Christ simply, with purity and grace.

 That was my goal as I wrote, Sanctuary: Hope and Help for Victims of Domestic Abuse. With a background in elementary education and a heart for individuals who struggle to learn and read, my goal is other's learning. Teaching is evidenced, not by one who teaches, but what is learned. As future educators, we were taught that the measure of our effectiveness was the success of our students.

 When individuals use code words, acronyms, high vocabulary, or share a complex/confused presentation, it confuses the listener. That is when one must assess the goal--Is it to be thought of as important, intellectual, and knowledgeable? Or is the goal effective, accessible information? With God's help, our goal should be the simplicity of Jesus Christ and His finished work.

 Our value, worth, and identity are not measured by our teaching, words, or following, but by Christ Himself. May He guide and bless the sincerity of our words and interactions with others for the sake of the gospel--and their very lives.

 For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the Law, I became as one under the Law, though not being under the Law myself, so that I might gain those who are under the Law; to those who are without the Law, I became as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law. To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:19-27)

Obedience and Worship--in Which Order?

How many times have we read and thought about the leper that returned to Jesus to say thank you when nine kept going? Many, many. 

But today, with prayers and thoughts in my head about ministry, opportunities, and the future, I saw this one leper differently. "And he was a Samaritan." (Luke 17:16). 

This one did not belong at the temple. It was not his custom. He did not follow Jewish temple etiquette. It was not his place of worship; his home; his people. The priest had little value. But Jesus...

"Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to him. And he was a Samaritan." (Luke 17:15-16)

How often am I distracted by the approval of others, by what I have been prevented from having or doing--and when the opportunity presents itself, Christ is forgotten? How often do I get caught up in the victory, forgetting the Victor? How often do I seek affirmation of cleansing without acknowledging the Cleanser? How often do I seek to go to the temple seeing only what is ahead and missing Jesus here; Jesus now?

Today this man reminded me to turn and thank Jesus before seeking the affirmation of others; to seek Jesus before heading into the crowds, before getting on with my life, before jumping into ministry, before moving forward. Others will benefit from my praise and healing, but Jesus deserves it first. Jesus should hear it most. Jesus is the only worthy recipient of the first fruits of praise and worship. 

But weren't they told to go? Isn't that what Jesus commanded? "When He saw them, He said to them, 'God and show yourselves to the priests.'" (Luke 11:14) Yes. They obeyed and as they went, they were cleansed. But this one turned back. 

My prayer today is that I am not so set on obedience that I miss Jesus. Not so determined to pursue opportunity and God's call on my life that I forget to express my gratitude; not to busy to set aside my "to do" list and worship.

Perhaps you, like me, have read the gospel accounts many times. If so, they are familiar--maybe even overlooked. I started a chronological read through the Bible a couple of years ago and am just now at the gospels-! There have been a couple of interruptions as I've come alongside others to get their own discipline of Bible reading off and running. I've stopped to catalog and organize books like Proverbs just to get a better grasp on knowing and remembering what God has to say. 

This time, in reading through the four gospel accounts, I was moved to study each author's intent; to highlight words and phrases that point to their reason for writing about Jesus.

It's always been there--that's the way Scripture is--but it was like new. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), read differently today as I look at Jesus, the LORD and sovereign--the King on earth--humbly speaking to and leaving His words behind for those of us who would never otherwise hear Him.

Jesus promises heavenly rewards and eternal consequences. Who does that? Who has that authority? Who even knows?

Who, but the Lord, can promise the kingdom of heaven? (v. 3, 10)

Who, but the Lord, can promise comfort? (v. 4)

Who, but God Himself, provides satisfaction? (v. 6)

Who, but God, extends mercy? (v. 7)

Who can promise an audience with God, face to face? (v. 8)

Who, but Jesus, guarantees me an identity with God--as His child? (v. 9, 16, 45, 48)

Who, but the Lord, can personally extend the riches of Heaven? (v. 12)

Who, but Jesus, determines one's entrance to Heaven? (v. 20)

Who, but God, determines my eternal, heavenly reputation? (v. 19)

And, who, but God, has the power of hell at His disposal? (v. 22, 29, 30)

It's no wonder that as Jesus spoke to the people, they sat in awe and wonder. This God, this Christ, came to them in human form and extended Himself--His riches, His kingdom, His very life--for their benefit. 

Oh, God, forgive us for taking you lightly, for not looking on you with the reverence and wonder you deserve. Forgive us for our blindness, arrogance, and earthly distraction. We are so lost, so unaware, so ignorant of Your greatness, power, and might.

May today be a day you see Jesus more clearly as the Lover of you soul, the Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end--and worship.

And they *sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and marvelous are Your works,
O Lord God, the Almighty;
Righteous and true are Your ways,
King of the nations!
“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy;
For all the nations will come and worship before You,
For Your righteous acts have been revealed.” Revelation 15:3-4