Volume 149: Rest in Overcomplicated
"Uh huh, life's like this
Uh huh, uh huh, that's the way it is"
🎶 Everybody now... 🎶
Okay well now that this song is stuck in your head...
I've been singing this song to myself this week... mainly the line: "why do you have to go and make things so complicated?"
If you know me well enough, you have probably picked up on the fact that I can tend to overcomplicate rather simple things... I like to have black and white answers and begin to feel lost/frustrated when I can't seem to reach an answer that makes sense to me.
Recently, I have been grateful for the reminder that Christianity can lead us to wrestle with the biggest questions yet ultimately provides us with the most simple answers - looking to Jesus. It provides us with what is true.
From the small things to the big, no matter what I am wrestling with, I am learning that it's not really that complicated.
Is it glorifying to God?
Is it true?
What does the Bible say?
Anna Claire Allred... a FOUR year old... copying 2 Samuel 22... the most pure thing I have ever seen. Well done, Jenna, well done.
After Charlie Kirk's assassination, our church didn't specifically mention anything about it during the following Sunday service. I struggled with this, thinking to myself "if church isn't a source of how to think about such big current events, then where am I to go? The news is all over the place... And I don't know what is real and what is not..."
Then, last Sunday, as if he knew of my struggle, Eric addressed why he doesn't teach the news cycle - that he doesn't want us to become a self-righteous people, focusing on the world's sin rather than recognizing our own sin. And to not give in to the enemy's tactic of trying to get us to teach on things other than the person of Jesus.
Even as he was talking, I was thinking but ok... we are still in the world so we need direction on how to live in the midst of the news cycle...
But then as I thought more about it, I came to the conclusion - I would rather my church be a place where I am constantly reminded and pointed to the truth of Jesus. In this broken world, where it's hard to find accurate news sources, it's even harder to find true teachings of the beauty and worth of Jesus Christ. So that's really what I need most.
Teaching the truth of Jesus Christ.
It's not complicated.
I have also recently been struggling with work - feeling a tension of fully buying into the mission of what I am doing. Feeling a lack of purpose, not enough to do and questioning my skills and capabilities as a self-starter. From an over full plate to an empty one... questioning and doubting and wanting to make it all work...
Yet, God calls us to be faithful. That's all. And He will provide. This is where He has me and He is willing and able to take the little I have and multiply it. May I be in prayer and allow Him to work.
Staying faithful to Jesus.
It's not complicated.
I have been questioning God's faithfulness in my singleness... feeling unseen... confused that I've been doing everything "right" and following Jesus but no leads or anything. While it seems to come easy for everyone else around me...
But, God promises He is with us. He never promises me a husband.
Believing God is with me.
It's not complicated.
This week at small group, we talked about the story of Abraham and Sarah - that God spoke to Abraham directly and promised that he would become a great nation... but Abraham and Sarah got older and older and no baby... Until eventually, God provided and kept His promise.
For us, we don't have such a tangible, direct promise from God.
So what promises do we have?
That He is with us and will never forsake us.
That He is constant and never changing.
That He is greater.
That He is working all things together for our good.
That His Word is true and sufficient.
That if we remain faithful to Him, He will provide.
That we are not alone and He is with us.
It's not too complicated!
We may not know what He has planned for our lives...
Getting married?
Where to live?
Jobs?
Having kids?
Having grandkids?
But, we DO know the One who is in control and that is enough to trust.
At the end of Matthew, as Jesus is leaving the disciples, giving them the Great Commission, he ends "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
I am with you always.
Jesus's final words.
This was probably very confusing to hear... considering that He had just been crucified... not sure it felt like He would be with them always...
But that's the words He left them with.
A promise that changes everything.
Jesus had defeated death.
He rose from the dead, exactly as He said He would.
And yet He is still with us.
Jesus had defeated death.
He rose from the dead, exactly as He said He would.
And yet He is still with us.
He promised His presence. The one thing we need most and the only thing that is 100% reliable and constant.
So may I not overcomplicate it... may His presence be sufficient for me.
In the middle of the storm, the disciples, mid panic, woke Jesus up...
"And he awoke and rebuked the sea, 'Peace! Be still!'"
And just like that - the storm stopped.
A simple command.
Nothing complicated.
A simple command.
Nothing complicated.
In the "storms" of my brain/mind, may I be quick to give the simple command, "Peace! Be still!" A way to call myself back to the truth that God is the one in control - not the enemy in my mind.
This week, we celebrated the one and only Frannie Cash! And I had a moment of feeling so grateful for the investment that Frannie has had in my life for so many years now - a great work. From my first summer to my tenth, I have learned a lot from Frannie and am grateful for her boldness and confidence in which she lives her life!
A night visit in Athens turned to living in the same city and getting front row seats to her raising a family, amen!
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