I always liked the initials KISS, which stand for Keep in Simple, Stupid. Those words are a good reminder to those of us who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior.

We do have a tendancy to complicate things. We add as many rules and obligations as the Pharisees did back in Jesus’ day. Sometimes we make it more difficult for people to find their way to Jesus, adding cultural and political baggage to the mix.

Jesus simply said, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” It’s that simple.

I’m not saying following Jesus is easy. It’s hard sometimes to take up that cross daily and to die to myself and to love my enemies and all that. But it’s never complicated.

I love how Henri Nouwen summarized the Gospel in one sentence: “You are the beloved of God.” It really is all about God loving you so much that He sent Jesus for you so that you wouldn’t be lost and broken forever. The Gospel says that it’s never too late to turn around and fall into the arms of Jesus. It’s never too late to start over and be transformed by the radical love of Jesus.

It’s so simple that I need to be reminded every day of just how simple it really is. I need the Gospel daily to remember where I was when Jesus found me and where I am now in the process of sanctification, and where I’m headed.

I need the reminder that God looks at me and sees Jesus. He sees perfection. He sees holiness. He sees His child.

One little exercise that has helped me greatly is to repeat the little phrase over and over. I breathe in and say, “Abba Father, I belong to You.” I breathe out and say “Abba Father, You are very fond of me.”

I hope that helps you to remind yourself that at least one thing out there isn’t so convoluted and complicated: Jesus’ love.