Dear Z,

I decided to go back over the sermon on the mount. It had been a while since I read it and I missed the new testament classics. So, I started there. It has some of the most beautiful consecutive chapters of scripture, surely some of the most quoted.

Right from the beatitudes, I began to notice something I had never quite given my full attention. This entire sermon is Jesus directing us to live as plainly, as humbly, as simply as he does. He blesses the poor in spirit, the meek, the mournful, people who we might usually disregard or avoid.

He calls for simplicity in the ways we approach the law. Rather than be an excuse for mental gymnastics, he simply says: once it is in your heart…Once the thought crosses your mind it requires forgiveness.

In prayer too, he seeks simplicity. This is something I have struggled with for years. The part of my brain that fancies itself a writer is always wringing itself dry, trying to find new and creative ways to express myself to God. But on occasion, when my heart overflows and I simply dwell in that, the prayer feels so much truer and more peaceful. Sometimes, there are no words at all.

The part of simple living that catches everyone’s eye, for better or worse, is serving God and money. That one we can all easily access. That one seems clear enough to understand and return to and there is an inexpressible comfort in knowing that the God who keeps all the wild things safe and beautiful is in charge of your care too.

All this simplicity reminded me of Jesus asking us to be like little children. Now that I have kids of my own, or perhaps because I’m a little older myself, it makes sense to me that the simplicity of children will be the benchmark. Children rarely hold a grudge, rarely worry about a moment ahead of the ones they presently occupy. They are truly pure of spirit. That is all he wants for us; to live honestly in the moment and forgo all worries. I want that too.

Like salt and light who might be neglected or disregarded but who are no less important as a result, that is who Jesus sees us as, who he calls us to be. 

 

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