Growing up I can’t tell you how many times I heard people at school and sixth form saying the more ‘complicated’ your life is, the more it meant your life was exciting. Bear in mind though, these ‘complications’ were just teenage equivalents to adult drama. My parents have always, and still to this very day, said to my brother and I; ‘Keep. Life. Simple.’
When I was a teenager sometimes I thought I lived a pretty boring life – I’m sure at some point we’ve all thought this. That if perhaps we were a little bit more reckless or a bit more rebellious, then life in some way would be more exciting. I know not all of us grew up in the church but for me Sunday’s were about two things: relaxation and chuuuch! (Yes I spelt church that way). I always enjoyed going to church and I still do! But I couldn’t help but wonder sometimes ‘am I missing out?’.
My friends’ weekends often were about getting super wasted and having ‘fun, complicated lives;’that ranged from boys to friendships. It would be a common thing on a Monday morning for everybody to gather in the common room to catch-up on the weekend’s goss. Now I get it, when we’re young we want to have those memorable nights so we can have a right old natter and have a laugh about it.
However, whilst it often appeared that many of my friends were enjoying their lives, there were occasions where I found myself consoling, encouraging and listening to friends whose ‘fun, complicated’ lives were all the more burdensome and not as fun as they portrayed it to be. Now, at some stage or the other, we have all attempted to create a more superior image of ourselves whether that be to impress others or to make our lives seem more exciting, but it soon becomes very hard to keep up that front.
Let’s go back to Keep. Life. Simple. What do I mean by this?
This phrase does not mean living an unadventurous life. It also doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be bold and courageous in all that you do. God calls us to be brave and fearless as Christians!
What I do mean is this: When you are in Jesus it means you can go out and live a wonderfully exciting life, whatever you choose to do!
We know that Jesus came to bring freedom and life and His word teaches us that if we continue to delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart [Psalm 37:4]. With that being said, it is important to do things moderately and reverently. With so many worldly distractions it is so easy to get caught up in what everybody else is doing. So how can a young person stay on the path of purity, enjoy life and avoid unnecessary drama? By living according to God’s word [Psalm 119:9].’
Keeping life simple means not seeking worldly things that can so easily disappoint. It means if you live your life according to His word, even through the hard times, there is excitement, rest, and peace in him knowing that He can and will direct your path.
