Simple

Leonardo Da Vinci said, "Simple is the ultimate sophistication." My church in Colorado, St. Matthew's-Parker, had a bumper sticker, "Live simply so others may simply live." The Shaker song of the 18^th century states,

 

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down
where we ought to be,
and when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained
to bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,
to turn, turn, will be our delight
till by turning, turning we come round right.

 

How many times have you said or heard, "I've gotta simplify my life?" Probably many. Even we who are overwhelmed by what researchers report are over 5,000 media messages a day, we who have a "To Do" list that would make Jesus shrink, we who carry a guilt trip of "hafta's" that were laid on us by others (not to mention the ones we laid on ourselves,) we who are enslaved and weary: we know simplicity brings freedom.

 

May you be bold today in lifting burdens from others and yourself by taking on, viewing, and doing - less. God has your 24 hours fitted with just the right amount of life. Anything more is neither his plan nor to our advantage. May you know the freedom of simplicity.