Simplicity. It’s what we all desire, especially at tax time. As a child, I remember watching my father wrestle anxiously with his taxes. As my brother and I would run through the house, I would stop and look at the huge stack of papers piled on the kitchen table. The frustration on my dad’s face was evident to the whole family. We knew to not mess with Dad while he did the taxes. The tax filing days would usually last several grueling days and when it was finished you could see the relief on dad’s face, especially when we were getting some money back. 

    Now that I am in charge of the taxes, things are different. With my computer and Internet, I completed my taxes in thirty minutes. I will receive my RETURN in a few days (YEH)! I love the simplicity. I wish everything could be so simple.

    Why do we make things that are meant to be simple so complicated? According to Dictionary.com, simple means, “Not complicated, easy to understand, deal with, or use.”  We are great at making the simple things hard to understand or use, for example, a relationship with God.  Why do we make a relationship with God so complicated when Jesus said it would be easy and light?  Jesus said in Matt 11:30, “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

    There should be nothing burdensome and heavy about our relationship with Jesus. Jesus simplified the entire Bible into one word, “Love.” Love God and love others with everything in you. Do you want to know what it means to be an authentic Christian? The answer is love. Don’t worry about the lists of “do’s-and-don’ts,” just love God and love others.
 
    Can I be honest with you? Sometimes, after a busy day of work and chores, I lay down my head on the pillow and I wonder, “Did I do enough today God?” Did I miss what it means to be a true follower of Jesus? In the last few days, God has shown me that to love him and to love others is enough. That is so freeing! It is so simple! My heart through the entire day was motivated by love for Jesus and love for others. That’s enough! Nothing else is needed, just love. I love simplicity. Jesus loves simplicity.

    Lanier Hills Church is a place of simplicity. I wouldn’t want to be in any other place. I love to worship and serve with imperfect people who simply love God and love others. Jesus is in the simplicity and it’s my goal to make sure we keep it simple. We will simply, love God and Love others with everything in us.

My Prayer: Father, thanks for loving me with everything in you.  Help me to simply love you and others with everything in me. Keep me simple!

Your Simple Pastor,
Pastor Randall

P.S. Don’t forget, this Sunday, Feb 11th, in both services, we will have a powerful time of special music, gripping testimonies and prayer for people who are suffering. Plan to attend and bring someone with you who is suffering. It could change your lives!