Have you ever noticed how complicated we can make our walk with God? We face a problem, struggle with something for weeks, pray for some spectacular revelation, and wonder what in the world God wants us to do. Sometimes we’re looking for a “rocket science” answer when God has already given us a remarkably simple one.
Someone might say, “God, You just feel so far away from me. I don’t know what happened. I wish I could feel close to You again.” We can analyze that feeling from every possible angle, but God simply says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” James 4:8 (NIV) Start talking to Him. Open your Bible. Worship Him. Shut off some distractions and spend time with Him. Draw near. It’s not rocket science!
Maybe you’re facing a situation and saying, “Lord, I just don’t know what to do.” God says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.” James 1:5 (NIV) So, do you need wisdom? Then ask Him! It’s not rocket science!
Maybe worry has taken over your thoughts. You’ve played every possible scenario through your mind, trying to figure out how you’re going to handle something that hasn’t even happened yet. God says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Turn the worry into prayer. Every time it comes back, pray again. It’s not rocket science!
What about temptation? Sometimes we ask God for strength while continuing to hang around the very thing that keeps tripping us up. God says, “Flee from sexual immorality.” 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV) Joseph didn’t hold a prayer meeting in Potiphar’s wife’s bedroom. He got out of there! Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is run! It’s not rocket science!
Maybe you feel spiritually weak and dry. Jesus said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 (NIV) What do you do when your body is weak because you haven’t eaten? You eat! If you’re spiritually starving, feed yourself God’s Word. It’s not rocket science!
Maybe you’re struggling with relationships. James gives us three incredibly practical instructions: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 (NIV) Think how many arguments could be avoided if we simply listened faster, talked slower, and got angry slower. It’s not rocket science!
Or maybe you’re wondering why people don’t treat you better. Jesus said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 (NIV) Want kindness? Give kindness. Want encouragement? Encourage. Want respect? Give respect. Want grace? Give grace. It's not rocket science!
And what if you don’t know God’s will for your future? We often want God to hand us a twenty-year itinerary. Instead, He says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) Trust Him. Acknowledge Him. Obey what you know today. Let Him direct tomorrow. It’s not rocket science!
Now, please don’t misunderstand me. Life can be extremely complicated. Grief can be complicated. Marriage problems can be complicated. Raising children can be complicated. Financial problems, sickness, loss, and major decisions can be enormously difficult. God never promised that every problem would have an easy answer. But here’s what I’ve learned: Life can be complicated. Obeying God often isn’t.
Sometimes we already know what God told us to do. The breakthrough isn’t another revelation. It’s simply doing what He said. So the next time you find yourself saying, “God, what am I supposed to do?” stop and ask yourself, Has God already given me the answer in His Word? If He has, trust Him and do it. After all, it’s not rocket science!
James 1:22 (NIV) “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me Your Word to guide my life. Help me not to complicate what You have made clear. Give me wisdom to recognize what Your Word says and faith and courage to simply obey it. When life becomes complicated, help me trust that Your ways are always right and good. Help me to be not only a hearer of Your Word, but a doer of it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
