In the midst of all of this ‘missionary’ business there are times when life starts to seem rather complicated. I’ve never believed that life was complicated. Two people in this world have the antithesis, ‘life.is.simple,’ tattooed on their arms in my handwriting – a testimony to a time in my life when I was almost militant about life’s simplicity and making it known.
I still believe its simple. But every now and then things pile up in front of you.
Everything from the big ideas:
– the tension of relationships
– the ugliness of poverty
– the loneliness that gets so hard to shake
– the darkness of your own heart
– the sinking feeling of unbelief and little faith
to the menial parasites of day to day life:
– car trouble (or worse, bicycle trouble!)
– this mean cough (its breaking up)
– to-do lists that read like ancient scrolls
– the spot your forgot to shave
– the stain on your t-shirt (that has outsmarted Tide-to-Go, SHOUT, and the whole family of stain removers)
They all get together and put on a complicated parade complete with marching bands playing death marches and blimp sized balloons of Snoopy’s evil twin. All of it leads you to fear and worry. It makes your heart sink and turns your faith into something like a whoopee cushion. There’s not much hope for stepping around them and you can’t keep your eyes off. You start to feel stuck and you get a bit myopic. “Maybe life is a bit more complicated than I thought,” you think. And you think, and you think, and you think.
Then there are days in this ‘missionary’ business where life just seems so incredibly simple that you start to wonder why you ever started watching that damn parade. Its not that the parade is over, its just that something makes you turn around.
A friend sticks around on the day you feel like Mr. Potter, the sunset sneaks up on you and makes your jaw drop, street kids show you grace when you break your promises again and again. Somehow the love of God makes itself known – taps you on the shoulder, whistles from somewhere behind you, and gets you to take your eyes off of Droopy Snoopy and the Death Star house band.
You start realize there’s another parade going on in the alley that revolves around mustard seeds and underdogs. The music is a little out of tune and everyone’s out of step but its a really good song – the best song – and every now and then it all comes together. The melody breaks through at the same time as the sun and you know that its all headed towards redemption. The gospel becomes bright and clear and Jesus is on the bullhorn saying, “See, I am making all things new.”
God makes a parade out of creation. “Look, child! I feed the birds. I make outfits for the grass. I’ll take care of you, you can count on that. You’re worth everything to me. So come into the place where I rule. Come find your place in my kingdom. The rest is mine to worry about.”
Therefore I tell you,
do not be anxious about your life..
do not be anxious about your life..
do not be anxious, saying,
‘What shall we eat?’ or
‘What shall we drink?’ or
‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
I keep trying to do my math according to this equation, to keep life simple, to make my one aim to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. I’m trying to stop pretending that I’m an orphan – thinking that I need to take care of myself, look after my own needs, hoard manna in case God doesn’t provide tomorrow. I’m learning to trust again. I’m trying to leave the parade of the world for the kingdom.
I’d be silly to to think that Droopy Snoopy won’t still creep in overhead and bring his shadows,
and the Death Star house band will probably learn more distracting songs, and play them louder and louder.
But I’d be a fool to think my Father won’t provide.
I’d be a dead man to think his love can’t trump the world’s parade.
Matt, That was exactly what I needed to hear. Why is it so hard to believe God to be bigger, better, and loving? It is so frustrating to continually find myself in this place of unbelief… but thanks for reminding me of the beautiful simplicity of life in the Lord! Carrie
Matt, I needed that today. I always get caught up in the parade and forget that God is in control.
God Bless you, and Happy thanksgiving!
-Abby
I love you brother. Thank you. Here’s to mustard seeds and underdogs. – Jenny