Simple truths

I have heard this phrase often in my life, but never really let it sink in for some reason.  What does it mean to you?

Our pastor Jay talks about a lot of “simple” things.  This past Sunday, he spent a lot of time talking about prayer, and the simple act of doing so.  Prayer is but one of the simple things we can do that can affect great change in our lives.  What are yours?  Here are a couple of mine which come to mind that I want to publicly state so I can have some accountability:

1. Start things, and expect God to do something with them
   I have so many good ideas about what I want to do to please God, to help other people, to improve my workstyle, etc., etc.  Problem is, I never seem to just get started.  One of the things I have wanted to do for several months is start a “Holy Group” (ala John Wesley as taught by Dave Hanson).  A HG is basically a group of people who spend time together, get to know one another and struggle with issues.  It can be a very small group, but it needs to be a group serious about caring for each other, and being open, accountable, and honest.  I had talked to Jay a while back about doing so, and he thought it was a great idea.  So did I.  But I didn’t do it.  Why?  I NEVER JUST TOOK A STEP TO GET STARTED.  Well, that changed today, when I actually called two people, both who were actually excited about becoming charter members of a HG.  It took 5 minutes.  Wow.  That was easy.  I can’t wait to see where God takes this.  I am expectant and eager, and God knows I am expecting great things.  He does great things every day, I am just not watching closely enough.  Shame on me.
2. Don’t over complicate things
   Maybe it is my corporate management background, but I have had such a tendency to have to plan everything out to the nth degree.  That can have the effect of keeping me from doing step 1 above — getting started.  When it is all planned out, it seems intimidating.  That is not to say that we should not have a plan, just that we need to plan one step at a time, and not get overwhelmed.  Kinda like my “Spiritual Discliplines” plan I have been trying to work out with Jay for a long time.  I have been looking for a well rounded, fully fleshed plan for my own spiritual development, when what I needed was just one thing.  One thing to get started with.  I took a suggestion from Jay (again — does it seem he has a lot of influence on my life?  Well, he does.), and started with a simple prayer.  I actually did pray through a stoplight today, and it was actually kinda funny (hey prayer can be funny and still be good ya know!), but had a very calming effect on me, and prompted me to turn on my MP3 player and tune in some good christian music.  That carried me through the day (until I ran out of battery, which made me mad, so I prayed — AGAIN.  Cool.  Nice circle there.).
3. Be who you are, and try to find out who others really are
   I know me.  I know me better than you will ever know me.  You know you, better than I will ever know you.  But you don’t ever really know the real me, unless I introduce you to me.  Okay — that sounded weird, but read it again and it will make sense.  I want you to know me, and I want to know you.  That will take time though.  Are you willing?  I am.  Watch out — you may have to take a risk here.  Can you trust God with that?

Okay — those were pretty random as they came into mind.  They aren’t complicated, just need a little focus.  Think I will go and pray about getting started being open to people.

 Hehe.