The Mountains Are CallingSample

Beautiful Simplicity

May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love.

JUDE 2 NLT

If we had to identify the culprit that most often comes to steal our peace, what would it be? Would it be a work-related issue, the lies of comparison, or our own negative self-talk? It’s difficult to stay Spirit-minded in a performance-and image-driven world. The apostle Paul couldn’t have known what life would look like now, but he gave us timeless words of wisdom that couldn’t be more spot-on: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NLT).

Peace and contentment are hard-fought these days. We have the constant temptation to compare ourselves to others through a device we carry around in the palms of our hands. The scope of comparison goes beyond our immediate circle. We have access to the entire world! We can “follow” the lives of people we’ve never met. Again, the words of truth give perspective: “Everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8 TLB).

There is nothing in this world worth more than what we already have in Jesus. Contentment and peace go hand in hand. If we learn how beautiful simplicity is—a life built on love, kindness, and Christ—we gain everything worth having in this world. We also gain the blessing of a truly fulfilling life, lived in the center of God’s will. It begins and ends with love, because that’s what God is. And “godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:6 NIV).

What can we do today to cultivate peace and conquer whatever tries to take it? Start with a thankful heart and a focus on love. Enjoy some quiet time, look for simple joys, and see the goodness in everything you have right now.

Dear God, Your love and grace are all I need, and I’m thankful for the eternal, irreplaceable gifts You’ve given.