From the Field

I’m sitting in a little Croatian coffee shop, and I can’t take my eyes off of this sign hanging in front of me.  It’s written in English and starts with “Live Simply”…  Immediately that phrase seemed familiar to me, but I wasn’t sure where I had seen it before, so I googled it.  I realized this phrase is maybe a logo or a store name; there were many variations of it and maybe it means different things to different people — maybe to some it’s a reminder to live simply in material ways, maybe to others it reminds them of the important things in life.    

Aside from all the warm and fuzzies I felt to find this kind of sign hanging in a little Croatian coffee shop, I felt a renewed sense of hope as I read the last sentence.  You see I’ve just returned from a time away with people from our organization.  The last talk on the last night was about how God wants to do greater things in our cities, as well as through and in us.  I felt excited, but I could almost feel that part of me that feared coming back to a messy house, a long list of things I need and should be doing, a question of whether I am sufficient to disciple a young woman, a fear there will never be enough time to get all the things done that I need to, and a reminder that I’m coming up short.  Now you can see what my insecurities are.  🙂  

Today I feel God wants to remind me that it’s simple.  He loves me.  I’m His.  He works in and through me and definitely works despite my weaknesses.  And He wants me to trust him. 

In the Old Testament, there is a simple command:  Love God with all our heart, soul and mind and love others.

So, today I am reminded of a simple truth: that it’s simply more important to make myself available to be a part of the redemptive work God is doing in the world than to worry about things on a list. 

So, let the words of this little sign fill you also with peace and joy in a new way today:

LIVE SIMPLY

THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE ARE NOT THINGS.

SPEAK KINDLY.

GIVE GENEROUSLY.

HELP OTHERS.

SAY YOUR PRAYERS.

THANK GOD FOR WHAT YOU HAVE.

ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART.