The Genius of Simplicity

I've just come through 2 and a half months of sheer business. I don't recall a time in the past 6 years having a stretch that was so busy. Life automatically drifts to complexity. You don't have to pray about it...it just happens, guaranteed.

I grew up being told work hard, stay active, do something! Those are true statements...but not the whole truth. The real question is what will you work hard at? Yes, you have a choice. No body works 24-7-365 days a year, though it might seem like it. You'd be surprised at how much time we waste during the day.

Here's a thought...work hard at reducing what you do. I'm not advocating negligence or apathy to important responsibilities. But think of ALL the stuff we allow to consume our lives including worry. Instead of making a "TO DO" list...make a "NOT TO DO" list.

At the risk of looking lazy...simplify. What you do is usually more important than how much you do. At this point...I'm willing to appear lazy for the sake of real productivity.

The Selective Memory of God

Thursday October 2nd was debate night in Canada. Debates can be very entertaining if for no other reason than to hear what political leaders will choose to remember. You will see it time and time again...one leader will berate another on a particular point while conveniently forgetting they themselves did the very same thing. Much of politics "twists" and "uses" information to suit personal agendas. I guess it is all about timing, maybe they think people won't remember...but someone always does.

Speaking about selective memory...I'm glad God has one. Take Abraham for example.

Abraham was about 75 when God first told him he was going to become the father of a great nation. Out of his life would come the seed for Israel. Now, I suppose it is possible that a 75 year old man could have children but not very probable - it had to be God!

Incredibly, Abraham has a son at the age of 100. Hello...do you know how old that is? Most people these days don't reach 90 let alone have children at 100. What was the key for Abraham?

Paul in Romans 4:19-21 puts it this way; and not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Wow, what an awesome man of faith. God says, Abraham did not waver! He simply believed God!.....Don't you just love the selective memory of God. You see I take an issue over Abraham not wavering, because in my opinion...well...he did! Remember Genesis 16? Hagar? Ishmael?

If you ask me...that's wavering...just a bit. But I'm not God (thank God). Here's how I see it. Though Abraham had great faith an deserves to be known as the Father of Faith he was by no means perfect. He made mistakes, he sinned, he lied, he struggled with doubt just like the rest of us. But, and it is a BIG BUT, God reserves the right to emphasis and remember what He chooses to emphasis and remember in a persons life.

When a person puts their faith and trust in God as Abraham did...God chooses to remember their victories and successes rather than their failures and sin. A person like Rick says...hey wait a minute you messed up...but God says...I see perfection, I see you finished the race, I see you kept the faith, I see you did not waver...well done good and faithful servant! There are "Hagar" moments in each of our lives...but thank God He has a selective memory for His friends.