A Simple Life

in the parable of the ten bridesmaids, jesus teaches his followers a pretty simple lesson:  don’t be caught off guard when the end comes.  the five foolish bridesmaids ran out of oil to light their torches and usher in the bridegroom.  because they ran to the store, they were shut out of the wedding feast.

lesson?  remember the oil.  if you don’t, you could lose it all.

but there’s a lesson within the lesson in this one.

why did the bridesmaids forget the oil?  because their lives got too complicated.  too many things going on.  too many roads to get sidetracked on.  too many other things on their minds.  they didn’t remember the most important.  this is a lesson for all of us.

it’s time to simplify…jesus’ style.  his words in sermon on the mount should resonate with us:

 but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  matthew 6:33

inherent in the life of Jesus is simplicity.  his call…his attitude…his relationships…his purpose…his plan…his love…his lifestyle.  his message to seek the kingdom of god first, is a call to single-minded simplicity that is to define the lives of his followers.

simply put…what is best for the kingdom should dictate everything i do.  it removes every other complication.  it gives parameters to my decision making.  it creates objectivity.  it narrows my choices…removes obstacles…gives definition…and moves my life from complexity to simplicity.

do what is best for the kingdom.  that’s it.  it doesn’t necessarily make the decisions easy, but it does make them simple.