So Simple

New Years Day. A time of new beginnings. A time of reflection. A time to reassess and work towards goals once again, whether they be physical, financial, emotional, or spiritual.

This morning as I read Judges 6, the simplicity of sin and consequence jumped out at me:

Judges 6:1 (NASB95)
1 Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian seven years.

We get ourselves into so many messes when we disobey God. In our own wisdom we think we can take a shortcut, we can bend the rule just a little... How many times have you thought, "Yeah, but in THIS situation, I need to do THIS..." There is nothing new under the sun, and God had your situation handled when He set up the basic parameters.

As I take the time to write out resolutions today - which I do every year - I likely need to put "Stop doing things MY way" at the top of the list. Some of God's commands are crystal clear: Give thanks in everything. (1 Thess 5:18) Rejoice in the Lord. (Phil 3:1) Be anxious for nothing. (Phil 4:6) Speak the truth in love. (Eph 4:15) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth. (Eph 4:29) Be kind. (Eph 4:32) Forgive each other. (Eph 4:32) Be imitators of God. (Eph 5:1) Think upon the good things. (Phil 4:8) Regard others as better than you. (Phil 2:3)

As I even look ahead to the next few hours, would dealing with teens not be simpler if I followed just THOSE commands? Wouldn't my husband love it if I spoke everything in love, even when I totally don't understand him or agree with him? When I return to work, wouldn't it be a witness to never gripe and complain? What if I tried for ONE day for my attitude to be one of total thanksgiving.

We, like the Israelites, want to do things our own way. And so God allows us the consequences. Do you have any Midianites in your life? People whose sole purpose appears to be to make your life difficult? Perhaps you've wandered from the simplicity of imitating Christ because you thought sticking up for yourself made better sense. Remember Philippians 2. Christ had a right to total respect, yet He emptied Himself.

Judges 6:1 is going to change my New Years resolutions. I'm going to focus on obedience. In the small things. In the simple things. Where it doesn't make sense to my flesh. Acquiescence. It's scary to consider the vulnerability, but really...I'm tired of the Midianites. Fights on every front as I try to protect myself. It's time to lean in. Surrender.

It is so very simple. God's way = God's blessing and protection. Even if it doesn't make sense. That's the point: that's faith.