The Secret of Simple

A little boy walked into the room carrying a video camera. I watched him setting up various shots, quietly concentrating on his work. He informed me he wanted to grow up to be a YouTube star. The boy had a message to share with the world.
 
We now have endless opportunities to share our messages with the world. You simply have to become a master at grabbing people’s attention and holding it over all the competition on the internet. There’s a pressure to be funnier, more clever, more spectacular, louder, more insightful, bolder, or more extreme than the others.

The latest trend with Instagram reels has me captivated. Its effect is hypnotizing as I watch someone point to bubbles while music plays. I may not remember what they shared, but I will remember their entertaining tactics. For all the hard work, it can be distracting to the message.

​In 1 Corinthians chapter 2, Paul proclaims he did not use tactics to gain the attention of his hearers. He came with no persuasive words, no brilliant speech, no pizazz of any kind. It wasn’t because he couldn’t, rather it was because his message was so powerful he dared not hinder it by getting in the way:
 
“And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
 
Paul was known for his oratory skills. He was powerfully persuasive. But he didn’t want people to be drawn to him because of his ability to wow them with his words. Paul wanted to make men followers of Jesus by the power of the Spirit rather than the giftedness of Paul.
 
With the gospel, the power is in the message not the deliverer or delivery.
 
The secret is in simplicity. Simple leaves room for the message to marinate in the hearts of the hearers. The simple message and truth allows space to think and respond.
 
Each of us carries the message of the gospel everywhere we go. We are all ambassadors for Christ, sent to tell the world of His good news (2 Cor. 5:20).
 
Do you feel ill-equipped to share the good news of Jesus? Maybe you see the endless creativity online when others share their messages. You have a message to share too, but it can feel daunting when we feel we have to resort to creative tactics to draw people in. Remember Paul’s example; he carried the simple gospel so as not to distract. We can rest in the simple gospel knowing it’s all we need to share the good news of Jesus. A simple message faithfully shared is better than an eloquent speech never delivered. 
 
Remember the acronym KISS: Keep it simple, sweetie.
 
Christ, in and through us, will spread a pleasing aroma (2 Cor. 2:14-15) and draw people toward us. They will be ready to hear the good news we have to share because they will want to know the secret for the joy inside. Remember Christ is working in and through you; all you have to do is spread His sweet aroma and share the simple, powerful message of the cross.

Memory Verse:  “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

About the Author

I'm Renee Robinson, married to my high school sweetheart, Steve, and a homeschool mom to three teenage boys. We've lived in four states over the past twelve years and currently live in Omaha, Nebraska. My desire is to inspire and encourage women to get to know the full truth of who God is, His heart and character, one day at a time in His Word. I'm a freelance writer, run an Etsy shop, and teach Logic to middle schoolers. I love to read, hike, ride bikes, take long walks, or gather friends together at our home for a meal and games. Connect with me at www.renee-robinson.com.