Simplicity

I am struck this evening by the simplicity of the scriptures and by how we as humans really make things more difficult. We dissect and parse and drill verses down until we make things so much harder than they really are. I don't know why I am surprised... the Jews did it with the 10 commandments, so it shouldn't surprise me when we do it in the 21st century.

I am really hit by this realization when I go into a Christian bookstore. At one point in my life, I think I could've opened my very own bookstore. I stopped there at least 3 times a month and bought books and cds like crazy. I just couldn't seem to stop. I read everything, listened to all kinds of music, and just prayed that Dean wouldn't see all the receipts! :) Now, when I go in....I am overwhelmed by the sheer volume of books that are produced year after year after year. It's amazing. We have all these books to read and how much time do we actually spend reading scriptures? I think the sign of a really good book is when it makes you long to grab your bible and see what it really says about a subject.

We know all kinds of theories, authors, schools of thoughts, but does it really matter? The Jews had their theories, authors, and schools of thoughts... rabbinical schools of thoughts, and did it make them closer to God. When Jesus came, did he pat them on the back and say, "My goodness.... you guys are phenominal! Why didn't my dad think of that?" NO. He certainly didn't. I don't think you could say "whitewashed tombs" was complimentary. :)

I really need to be careful that I don't fall into the same trap that the Pharisees did and that is trying to make things too hard just to be safe and right. I need to read God's word. Pray for guidance. Live my life loving God and loving my neighbors as myself.

Simplicity.