When we are living to engage, enter and experience the life we were created for sometimes things get crazy and we make things over complexed.
Creating a life plan is a great way to be intentional about how you are living your life.
However, no matter if you have a written working plan, have a picture of one in your mind’s eye or just going with it in life, the unexpected happens. This is when we need to remember to “Keep your life simple.”
Recently I was reminded of the value of keeping things simple. One Sunday the teaching plan was to remind people of the Gospel and God’s love for us. That Sunday morning I was supposed to tag team the sermon with another staff member. It turned out that life happened and I ended up having to take the whole message last minute. We had worked out this illustration that was the core of the talk that morning. I struggled with my part earlier in the week to stay simple and keep focused on the illustration. To add to the tension our timing that morning was of even more importance as we had a shorter time slot then normal for the teaching time.
The message at its core was a reminder of God’s story of redemption and our struggle in filling our life with everything but Jesus. It was a simple message and the illustration made me look better than I spoke. When the other staff member first shared part of the idea of what became the illustration/object lesson, right away I knew that was the message. They had a great idea and so we worked out the illustration. 
After the service, someone shared “you took something we already knew and gave us a simple picture to remember it.” I am glad that it worked out. They had no idea the struggle I had with staying to the core of the message and keeping it simple. There was tension even as I spoke to not get too complicated or add too much. In the end, that was what helped me get through the moment.
Sometimes in life, in the midst of all the information and knowledge and messages and circumstances, we just need to keep it simple.
What are the core things that you need to focus in on?
There were other things I could have spun off on that were not bad. However, they were just that, roads taking me from the direction I needed to go that morning.
Do you find yourself running around putting out fires or jumping from one thing to the next? Chasing the rabbit trail.
What if you pause and ask what is the goal? Often, to get to that goal, it does not need to be overly complicated but instead there are simple steps that need to be taken or held to. If you have ever developed a life plan, it is crucial you keep it focused and simple.
When you find yourself in the moment of feeling overwhelmed and unexpected events or life is feeling a little chaotic, pause, keep it simple, remember the core paths, and then walk.
As you look to enter, engage and experience the life you were created for, keep it simple, remember the core paths and walk.