The word simple carries with it different connotations, both positive and negative. Calling a person simple may refer to that person being unsophisticated, even stupid. Definitely a negative connotation. On the other hand, simple can mean easily understood, easy to do, uncomplicated. Positive simple. Somehow, life isn't so simple anymore. There's so much going on, so many things to do, too little time for the, well, simple things of life-depending on what you call simple. Who remembers planting flowers, vegetables, or watching the sunset? When's the last time you actually read a book, without doing anything else? Who still rides a bike for the fun of it? How often do stars command your attention, even though they're billions of miles away?

Jesus used simple things to convey spiritual truths. Corn, wheat, grass, flowers, sparrows, barley, and mustard seeds were all used to teach lasting principles of life. People from all walks of life understood what Jesus was teaching from Him using something simple as a means to convey truth.

God's Word, the Bible is, for the most part, simple. Profound? Yes. Life changing? That's God's plan. But still simple. And God wants us to build our lives on truths which are simple but, oh, so lasting. Confessing Jesus as Lord with our mouths and believing in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead for us (Romans 10: 9,10) are simple truths to position our lives for eternity. God, through John, desires that we prosper and be in health, even as our soul (mind, will, emotions) prospers (3 John 2). Simple truths which children easily believe. Adults sometimes take longer.

I know that there are things in the Bible which take time to learn. For the most part, however, God puts things in His Word which we can easily accept and build into our lives. Things like forgiving, serving others, and tithing. These take effort (at least on my part), but they're pretty simple, don't you think?

God's smart. If God wanted to be complicated, who would ever understand what He's saying? I'm so glad God comes down to our level to make things simple enough for people like me to understand. People like you and those next door to all of us.

What are some simple truths you have learned from the Bible which guide your life, even today? Who have you been able to share these truths with?