K.I.S.S. — part 5 of 5

FOR ONE LAST TIME (…I think…): This has nothing to do with Gene or Paul or any others in a certain band, but this has everything to do with a brilliant adaptation of something I learned from my dad.

“Keep it super simple” explains why Fred Craddock liked to say all he did was teach seminary students to preach children’s sermons to adults.

“Keep it super simple” reminds us of the importance of clarity.

“Keep it super simple” is part of the idea behind much of what Christ Jesus taught, starting with —

Don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions.

You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it.

You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace.

In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true.

Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’

When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

— That’s Matthew 5:33-37, the Message version.

And yes, I’m aware we’ve spent this entire work week thinking together about the importance of striving to “Keep it super simple.”

The irony is, painfully, not lost on me.

But like a sculptor chipping away what doesn’t need to be there, and like a gardener getting rid of weeds, or like a puppy circling to find precisely the perfect spot and position for a nap by a window with the sunshine streaming in, I hope this has been helpful for you.

Sure has been for me, and I thank you for walking along this path with me.

Now: let’s both watch for ways to “Keep it super simple.”