Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Robert Ricciardelli

Home
About

Home
New Visions
True Simplicity by Dudley Hall

True Simplicity by Dudley Hall

Last updated on: October 17, 2011 at 12:33 am by editorconvergingzone

True Simplicity by Dudley Hall 2011-10-17T00:33:32-08:00 editorconvergingzone

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:6 (ESV)

There is a major difference in naïveté and simplicity. One is passive neglect of available wisdom and the other is the discovery that complex issues can be viewed from another perspective and made solvable. God condemns naïveté but prizes simplicity.

For many the idea of finding their destiny or following the will of God is a complex issue. It is probably the result of buying into the myth that God’s way is difficult to find and follow. It neglects the reality that God is a Father who loves his children and delights in their walking in his way. He does everything short of overriding their dignity of choice to lead them into his way of blessings.

The Father’s instruction is to simply acknowledge him. What does that mean? It must include acknowledging his nature as Lord. He has the right to be the master of everything. He created and then redeemed it all. It means that he is present. He has gone to a lot of trouble to be present with us. Because of our sin, we were separated from holiness, but because of his atonement, we can constantly enjoy his presence. It means that he longs to bless and guide. He has made us his partners in the project of redemption in the earth and is more than willing to aid us in the fulfilling of our assignment. It means that we recognize that the kingdom of God has invaded the earth and that we are instruments of its implementation.

To acknowledge him is to bring his order into our situation. Remember the instruction to the twelve when Jesus sent them to the cities of Israel? He told them to announce, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” Then they were to demonstrate its presence by healing, delivering and forgiving. The apostle Paul believed that his proclamation of the gospel was accompanied by the presence of Christ himself. He was not just giving lessons on living. He was acknowledging the presence of the kingdom in his presentation.

What if we as his designated priests and kings would acknowledge him in each of our situations? Might there be a change in the spiritual atmosphere? If there is a change there, things can be accomplished that were previously prohibited. I challenge you to give it a try. It might be simpler than you thought.

insight magnetic fields meditation national economy new currency

spiritual understanding

Previous Post

October 16, 2011

Vision: God Works From the Whole to the Particular by Graham Cooke

Next Post

October 17, 2011 The Unflappable Champion by James Ryle

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Arts & Entertainment Business Coach Robert Coaching Community Education Faith Family/Relationships Government Health History/Biography Leadership Marriage Mindset Musings Science Technology

Select a Month June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who took Jesus’ body and placed it in a tomb?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Peter Joseph of Arimathea Nicodemus John