Katie Nelson

I realized…once again… that I worship the god of simplicity and efficiency.

That doesn’t seem so bad, right? Like out of all the gods to worship – those ones might be acceptable… but, no. God is not a God consumed by simplicity or efficiency… if so, He would not have chosen humans to carry out His will, that is for sure.

How do I know I worship simplicity and efficiency? Well, I realized I most often get irritated when things feel complicated… like in order to meet with someone multiple things have to happen or I have to drive out of my way. But, this doesn’t always bother me… mostly when someone points out that it might be a little out of my way or they feel that it does not make practical sense. I am constantly challenged by practicality or culture’s expectations. Which am I living for? Simplicity, making sense to the world or Jesus, the One, True, Living God whose ways are higher than mine and I cannot fully comprehend?

At church, we recently looked at the life of Abraham: Genesis 12-22. He waited years and years for a son… like 100 years. And then twenty some years later, he was told to sacrifice this same son. If God was in a hurry to carry out His will, this would probably not have been the case- this hundred years of waiting and pursuing Abraham and Abraham messing up and God continuing to be faithful and then Abraham learning to trust God no matter what.

In my life, God has worked out much through time. I am the crazy one who impatiently waits for the next answer, the next step thinking it will give me peace, but it won’t. Jesus in the moment, this moment, is the only truly satisfying answer, element, purpose that I can know because thankfully…

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. -Hebrews 13:8

The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives. -2 Peter 3:9, CEB