Simplicity

"Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." - Karl Barth, renowned theologian, responding to a question about what is the Gospel.

I am doing a course on the New Testament right now where you have to read through the entire thing twice, reading entire books of the NT in one sitting. At first, I didn't like doing this - I like to chew on a verse or phrase for awhile and this is something that doesn't work when your read one book at a time. After reading through each of the Gospels in one sitting though, I've changed my mind. This kind of reading can be very useful. Sometimes, I think we (Christ-followers) can get so wrapped up in the details that we miss the forest for the trees when it comes to faith. I was struck by the simplicity of the message as presented in the Gospels. The basic message of Christ is simple, a child can successfully understand it.

This was further brought home to me this week as I attended some of the last day of Avalanche Ranch, the vacation Bible school program that my kids went to last week. The messages that were shared were refreshingly simple and I found my own heart soaring as I heard them. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing I like more then to get into a deep, intense, and satisfying discussion on theological topics. But when it comes down to it my soul takes more solace in the most simple aspects of faith. Simplicity can be powerful stuff.