Sweet Simplicity

Two things I ask of you, O LORD;do not refuse me before I die:Keep falsehood and lies far from me;give me neither poverty nor riches,but give me only my daily bread.Otherwise, I may have too much and disown youand say, “Who is the LORD?”Or I may become poor and steal,and so dishonor the name of my God.

Proverbs 30:7-9 (NIV)

Simple living is our topic today. Paul said, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6, NKJV). This is an interesting proverb to ponder right before Christmas. For many, Christmas is anything but simple and we are far from contented. Busyness can be an excuse, a replacement and avoidance of authenticity. We fill our days so full we don’t have time to attend to the real and important. Simplicity takes discipline. It takes solitude and quietness before God. Wouldn’t it be sweet if we did return to the basics? Paul said, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11, NKJV). Contentment, you see, is first a choice and then it becomes a habit.

Let’s look at the simplicity of the birth of Jesus that very first Christmas. They were far from home, his mother was young. They were poor, shut out, homeless. And yet as we emotionally visit that humble little scene in the stable, it captures us. It has a majesty not found in palaces. There was joy and hope, and most of all God was near. Immanuel is the message; God with us. And when he is near, our hearts are full.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

To simplify is “to render less complex, less embellished, more natural.” Although we love the bows and the glitter of Christmas, we can get lost in them. When the shepherds arrived in the stable to see the Savior, they didn’t feel underdressed. They came as they were. They had been invited and included in this holy event. All that attracted their attention was the beauty of Jesus.

Let’s Pray

Lord, please help me to slow down, refocus, and be thankful. Show me if my expectation of what needs to be done has cluttered what matters most. Help me rejoice today in the sweetness of simple things and quiet moments.

One Year Bible Reading

Nahum 1:1–3:19; Revelation 8:1-13; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 30:7-9