August 10: 2 Corinthians 11: Simplicity

And now I'm afraid that exactly as the Snake seduced Eve with his smooth patter, you are being lured away from the simple purity of your love for Christ. (11:3 Msg)

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (11:3 KJV)

When did life get so complicated?? I'm not talking about all of the things that I try to accomplish in a day. What wrecks simplicity in my life is the relational messiness, the emotional baggage I carry around, and the way-too-high expectations I set for myself.

As I'm pondering this, I'm watching my kids running in and out of the room, playing a silly game with each other. Their lives are so simple. Their biggest concerns are whether we're going somewhere today, and if they'll get a special treat. (And for Meredith, whether I'll let her play with my iPad - a technology idol-worshiper at 3! Ugh.) They don't worry and fret because they understand Mommy's in control, and they trust me, knowing I love them and will do what's best for them.

Why can't I do the same with God?? Intellectually, I know the truth, but I don't always rely on it. I forget who God is and what He's done for me, and I lose focus on Him. My idols loom large, and I think I know what's best for me. I take control, lured away from the simple purity of my love for Christ by the tyranny of the urgent and my own selfish desires. It's no wonder life often feels confusing.

"Simplicity is the secret to seeing things clearly. A saint does not think clearly until a long time passes, but a saint ought to see clearly without any difficulty. You cannot think through spiritual confusion to make things clear; to make things clear, you must obey... 

"Even the very smallest thing that we allow in our lives that is not under the control of the Holy Spirit is completely sufficient to account for spiritual confusion, and spending all of our time thinking about it will still never make it clear. Spiritual confusion can only be conquered through obedience. As soon as we obey, we have discernment. This is humiliating, because when we are confused, we know that the reason lies in our state of mind. But when our natural power of sight is devoted and submitted in obedience to the Holy Spirit, it becomes the very power by which we perceive God's will, and our entire life is kept in simplicity." Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Lord, I ask to see clearly today. I pray You'll show me those things in my life that aren't under the control of Your Spirit. Give me the courage to move forward in obedience in every part of my life. May you build in me a life of obedience that leads to maturity, loving You and loving others well.