Keep It Simple

There are times when God gives us basic instructions and we follow them immediately, just like the soldiers who were under the authority of the centurion soldier that Jesus encountered in Matthew 8.

Then there are other times when we feel God is telling us to go in a direction that is so radical and requires so much change, that our human nature likes to ask lots of questions, and over-complicate things!

“How is it all going to work out?” we ask, or “Is God really telling me to do this” (when we know full well He is!). “How on earth will we survive financially?” or “what are people going to think?”. Rather than operating in simple faith, we allow ourselves to over-analyse the potential consequences of the decision. This is obviously not the way God intends us to handle things, since He commands us not to worry or be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6).

At a point in my life when I found my mind full of questions like these, the Holy Spirit gently calmed my thoughts and fears by speaking these three words into my spirit: keep it simple.

This was His gentle reminder to me that the God of the Universe, who placed the stars in the sky, is quite capable of handling all the little details of our lives, and that worrying about them is not a burden He wants us to carry. I know it’s easier said than done, but our responsibility before God is simply to listen to His instructions and obey them.

"So don`t worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:31-34).

Prayer: Father, I want to say sorry for the times I have tried to work things out in my own mind, rather than simply trusting You with the details of my life. I’m sorry for the times I have missed things that You wanted to do in my life, because I was too busy worrying about the practicalities. Today I choose to trust You with all my heart, and not to lean on my own understanding. I thank You that You have an incredible plan for my life and I ask You now to empower me by Your Holy Spirit to fulfil that plan as I take instructions from You, step by step. In the mighty name of Your Son Jesus, Amen.