Simplify

September 13, 2020

Artist Miller Levy created this masterpiece in the 1990s. The top heading means “woman,” and the bottom means “man.” After laughing because this accurately reflects my husband and me, I felt a blog coming on. And it has nothing to do with comparing women to men.

If you are a man or a woman who feels represented by the myriad of buttons and knobs, this blog is for you.

Some days I love my colors. The purple passion of my love for family and friends. My black and white attuning to right and wrong. My deep appreciation for a rainbow-colored variety of perspectives.

Some days I hate my complexity. Instead of immersing myself in the moment, I’m constantly trying to control the future by tuning my environment and myself.

Dial back the spending to build a retirement nest egg. Give more generously to support Christian ministries and missions.

Smile less to let my child know this infraction is serious, not funny. Smile more to show God’s love.

Turn on the TV to know what is going on in the world so I can pray for needs. Turn off the TV to devote more time to Bible reading.

I tell those closest to me that I have trouble making decisions. Just like this picture, the actual problem is that I am so focused on making small decisions that I fail to make the big ones. I’m trying to please everyone, balance all aspects of my life, and make up for my failures from yesterday. When I spend too much effort adjusting all the knobs and switches, I sometimes forget about the on/off button.

I stand in awe of those who truly live in the moment with the Lord. They laugh freely. They let tears flow easily. Their countenance reflects a calm and contentment that confuses me. I love the Lord, too. Why am I so bound up? Why do simple things often seem hard?

The Bible reminds us to focus and simplify. Jesus summarized all the laws with two: Love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). Paul encouraged believers to throw off hindrances (Hebrews 12:1-2). The psalmist encouraged us, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Luke reminded us that our heart will be where our treasure is – so treasuring Jesus will automatically align us (Luke 12:32-34).

One of my favorites is Paul’s instruction to Timothy on how to coach rich people (like middle-class Americans) to live an abundant life.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. I Timothy 6:17-19 NIV

How can I experience a life that is full of meaning and purpose and joy? He says, “do not be arrogant” and “be rich in good deeds.” I look at the picture above and think, ” What could be more arrogant than thinking that my adjustments will fix all the problems in the world and in myself? God is the only one who can do that.”.

Now, whenever I glance at this photograph, I chuckle. I still see myself in the chaotic mess of knobs, but I know that God loves me anyway. He reminds me that all I really have to do is to switch on devotion to Him. Then the Holy Spirit will enable me to live the life that is truly life.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.”

( Micah 6:8 NIV)

If you’d like to share one way that God has helped you simplify, please share below.

Photo: https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2019/contemporary-art-online-new-york-2/miller-levy-lhomme-la-femme, Miller Levy.