Keeping It Simple

The world in which we live is often complicated.

We have constant access to information but in reality learn little that is useful.

We find new ways to stay busy but accomplish little.

We have politicians who make promises yet little, if anything, improves once they are elected.

We have laws designed to protect us yet we live among those who have learned how to manipulate them.

We may live in nations that produce enough food to sell yet some of our citizens are hungry.

We rush out to purchase the latest in technology while its replacement is already in development.

The world is a complicated place.

Even Christians occasionally feel overwhelmed by it.

Although we have everything we need to succeed we sometimes feel that we are struggling.

Although we are told never to fear we sometimes find that worry is our constant companion.

Although we are told to love God we sometimes find it difficult to make time for Him.

Although we are told to love our neighbor but we sometime tend to love only certain people.

Rather than alleviating the confusion of the world we instead find ways to contribute to it.

Perhaps we can take a lesson from the world of sports.

When a team is struggling to succeed, the coach of that team often focuses on the fundamentals of the sport.

He goes back to the basics.

The players go through the mechanics of running, throwing, and kicking over and over as they practice.

Going back to the basics often helps the team remember what works as they rebuild for future success.

Perhaps we need to go back to the basics as well.

An expert in the law once asked Jesus which was the most important commandment.

Jesus gave him in two parts.

Mark 12:30-31 (NET) – Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Jesus understood that if we truly kept these commandments we would essentially be keeping every commandment.

Love should be at the root of everything we do or say whether for God or our fellow man.

It really does not get any more basic than that.

If we can do that we cannot help but succeed.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 11, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, September 18, 2015