Thursday, August 02, 2007

It Just Works!

I love this ad slogan from Apple. Steve Jobs and his genius marketing gurus have tapped into a nerve in our culture. They realize that people are tired, stressed and overloaded. So, they have brilliantly marketed the concept of "Simple." They have taken what has for years been a major source of stress and fear to the general public, i.e. computers, and have alleviated the "fear factor" of not knowing how to operate a complicated computer program. How did they do this? They simplified the process. Just plug in a Mac right out of the box and "presto!" It just works!

When it comes to life and faith, things can get complicated pretty quick! We become overloaded, overstressed and overwhelmed! It feels like we are in the Hitchcock movie "Vertigo." We can't tell which way is up... we've lost our point of reference. Frankly, we need help!

God's word, the bible, has much to say about overload, stress and busyness in general. One such passage reminds me of Apple's motto, "It just works." It's found in the book of Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12, it says, "For the word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword." It has that ring of "It just works!" I love it! Nothing complicated, no periherals or add ons necessary... the Word of God "just works!"

Let's take a hint from Apple. Let's simplify our faith and get back to the simple things that just work. Start today with the word of God... keep it simple and basic. Pray today, but I'm not talking about deep and ethereal, I mean just talk to God, like He's real and like He's right there with you... (smiling).

Spend some time journaling your thoughts and feelings. Document your walk with Jesus and keep it simple. De-clutter your faith. Delete those unecessary "trial programs" that came with the package when you were born and simplify.

Keeping it Simple,
Pastor Jimmy
MSCC Abilene
Loving God, Loving People, Loving the World

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