For the last few years, we have gone through times when a new crisis or major controversy seemed to be happening every month, to now, when it seems like we are facing two or three a week. Certainly these times are becoming more intense, but this does not mean that we need to feel increased pressure in our personal lives. We have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. If we have built our lives on that kingdom, the whole world can shake, but we won’t. If we shake every time the world does, then we need to examine where we may be wrongly connected to the world instead of the kingdom.

     One word that Christians seem to be getting everywhere is to simplify. Studies on happiness have found that the happiest people on the earth are those who have the simplest lives. We are not here just to be happy, but if we are abiding in the King and His kingdom, the Scriptures make it clear that we will be full of joy. We are called to bring peace to a world falling into increasing chaos, and we cannot do this if we do not have peace in our personal lives. The times of conspicuous consumption and basing our lifestyles on our ability to borrow are likely gone for good. This is a new day, but it can be a better day for everyone.

     If you are still looking at a mountain of problems, take encouragement from the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4:6-7:

     “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.

     ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will becomea plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!’”

     First we need a plan and specific goals for simplifying our personal lives. Then we need to look at the mountain we may be facing and declare the grace of God over it. God’s grace is far more valuable than a lifetime of effort. When we turn to the grace of God, as we always should, we can expect the mountain before us to become a plain. It may not happen all at once, but it will happen.

     Remember that ANY JOB IS DOABLE IF BROKEN DOWN INTO SMALL ENOUGH STEPS. Determine that your mountain is going to be moved and that you will not stop until it becomes a plain before you. The Holy Spirit is not “the Doer,” but rather the “Helper.” He will not do it without us, but if we engage, He will make it happen.

     Then determine that you are going to enjoy these times! One of our purposes is to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom. The gospel is good news that is going to be a great contrast to all of the other news people are hearing. We are also told in Romans 14:17-18, “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” So to proclaim this good news, we will need to be demonstrating the righteousness, the peace, and the joy in the Holy Spirit.

      If we are walking in righteousness, which is doing what is right in the sight of the Lord, we will know a peace the world will not be able to comprehend, and it will cause us to stick out more and more in the times to come. This peace leads to a joy that will likewise becoming a shocking contrast to the despair that the world is experiencing. This is why, as we are told in Isaiah 60, that when darkness is covering the earth and deep darkness the people, the glory of the Lord is appearing on His people—and the nations will come to the light. The darkness will only make the light that much brighter, and the light will prevail.

     So let us resolve that each week we will make some progress in getting our lives simpler and ourselves freer to do what we are called to do. These are the times that all who have walked with God have foreseen and longed to see, and we get to live in them! So let us really live, which we do as we abide in Christ who is our Life.