Simplicity… the art of complexity

Albert Einstien once quoted… ‘Out of Complexity, find simplicty’.

One thing I have observed and personally experienced is that by default one can become complex. It truly is a discipline to remain simple. I like the way Jesus said it…

Matthew 18:2 (The Message)

^2-5For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me.

How easy it is to get burden with the daily affairs and the running of ministry. Yes ministry can be very demanding and can be somewaht challenging. But I encourage you to not take on more that what you believe your vision for your ministry is. It can be very difficult to say no, but unless you do from time to time, before you know it you will find your life extremely complicated.

The corporate world knows this… take a look at perhaps the discipline of Steve Jobs and the Apple Corporation. Look at their products and you will see how they choose to keep things simple. Yet in the discipline, one has to agree that many of the items have better appeal than perhaps some of thier counterparts from other companies.  Successful companies know the art of disciplining themselves in keeping their vision simple and even the ethos of these corporations ethos is simple.

Take a look at perhaps one of the more well known products and how in the wrong hands can really lose your orignal purpose. It’s an oldie, but you get the point.

So as you think about your lifestyle or ministry, think about what you can do to simplify it and give it more meaning and purpose.

Until next time, think simple!