2 Corinthians 4:7 (MSG)If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us.
That’s the word I received in my heart to share today. A simple life is the best life.
I had a dream about a very good friend of mine recently. Someone I never thought would be all that she is to me today. I remember when I saw her initially my thoughts were “she thinks she’s all that and a bag of chips,” you know that famous saying that we use when we think, people think they are better than us. We lived beside each other for years without exchanging more than a strained hello, finally, under circumstances I do not quite remember we became friends. The usual do not judge a book by its cover exchanges were voiced and it is something we laugh over even now. I found out she was thinking the same about me. So I dreamt about her quite recently and the day after I reconnected with her via social media having not spoken to her in a long while. What can I say? it’s one of those friendships you know that spans time and will not die. So we spoke briefly and she told me that in the same time I had the dream, my name came up in a conversation with her son. Now, if you know me I will take that as a sign, a cue that there is a reason for that. It is not a coincidence.
As I hung up from her I had a feeling of melancholy, a knowing feeling, realization, a sense of calm and peace. Why? You may ask.
As I reflect on our relationship, her relationship, I remember how content she was in her marriage and her family life. They did not have a lot, as a matter of fact compared to some they had nothing, however, there was always a feeling of contentment surrounding that family, a sense of completeness and quiet, effortless joy. I do know they were spiritually grounded and it begs the question… Is that the reason for their contentment?
I was always amazed by her strength and knowing that despite whatever life throws at her (them), they would remain content. That word “content” epitomizes that family, and as I write these words, I realise that is the type of contentment I would love to attain for myself and my family and what is even clearer is that it can only be found in God.
A simple life is the best life it is free from the world and its shackles, it is free from people’s perceptions and trying to live up to them. It allows us to be who we truly need to be to ourselves and each other. It allows us to simply be happy. We strive to want to keep up with the Joneses even when we can’t keep up with the Joneses. We think peer pressure is only for kids? Let’s think again, as adults we succumb to peer pressure too, more so than kids.
A simple life is the best life and I am by no means saying that we should not strive to achieve because my friends have taken the time to do what they need to do to be satisfied in this world. They go on vacations together, special occasions do not go unnoticed, they are celebrated. Overall they pull together as a family unit and ensure their lives are balanced, so they have fun just like you and me. The difference is that they have it on their own terms not influenced by world trends, not making a show of their lives, but, in a quiet unassuming way. Confidently knowing who they are in Christ Jesus and that is all that matters.
Mark 8:36 (KJV) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
