When I first read Amos 3:3, it really made me think. My mind went back to simpler days when I would walk to elementary school with Billy from the neighborhood. As we trudged reluctantly toward school, we would tell jokes and share dreams as we kicked a rock or can along the road. Mostly, I was reminded of the value of just being with someone. My childhood friend and I had no specific agenda—we just shared time together while heading toward the same place.
These thoughts made me ask, “Why can’t I have that same type of relationship with God?” I began to ponder why so many people in the world, including those within the church, cannot seem to cultivate that kind of relationship with even their spouse. Before I knew it, two Scriptures from Genesis came to mind. The first verse was “Enoch walked with God 300 years. . .. Then he was no more, because God took him away.” And the second, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” Why don’t more people “walk with God” like Enoch and Noah? Why don’t we have intimate friendships? What are we missing?
Most often I hear a response like “We live in a different time” and life was easier then. I would agree that we live in a different time, with the ability to witness thousands of “deaths,” dysfunctional families as well as promoting the infamous rather than the famous on TV and Cable. I would not say that it is easier, just different. People are people yesterday and today, (Ecclesiastes 1:9) the same as Christ is the same yesterday and today (Hebrews 13:8). While the surroundings may have changed, people haven’t.
There has been and always will be divorce, suicide, confusion, insecurity, and despair – the challenge is that we are experiencing it in the same proportion in the church as well as society? Are we not a community built on the foundations of Faith, Hope, and Love? Why do we still lack friendship with God? We read Christian literature, attend Bible studies and listen to sermons. Why is it so difficult to learn the same lessons about applying godliness to our lives as those that Christ taught to simple fisherman?
The answer is straightforward, and uncomplicated: Christ taught his disciples in a very simplistic manner using illustrations to which they could relate. Even when He used parables, He would follow them with an explanation (to His disciples). Our souls desire uncomplicated lives. We need to stick with the basics and have the mind of a child (Luke 18:15 – 17). God wants simple, uncomplicated, straight forward friendships, with no hidden agenda. Until your life is uncomplicated like a little child’s, confusion, insecurity and despair will appear and reappear at the most inopportune times.
What are the basics? What are the core concepts that we believers often forget? Three simple words you’ve heard from your childhood. However, they are so easy to overlook and forget in our daily lives.
- Faith – The Greek word means belief and confidence that you have a guarantee from God
- Hope – The Greek word means expectation with trust and confidence that God is faithful
- Love – The Greek word means you prefer to act divinely regardless of the circumstances
When you combine these concepts you see the simplicity that a child carries into a relationship. They are assured that what whatever happens, their trust and confidence will not be shaken because they will always have unconditional affection from someone who guarantees their security and position – regardless! Keep it simple, walk with God and don’t complicate your lives.
Love Dad