Simple or Easy

“It will be simple.” A statement like that makes you think whatever “it” is will be easy as well. Simple and easy are synonyms right? Maybe. I’ve been thinking lately they are not as closely related as I’d like to assume.

Simple. I figure if something is labeled simple it will be easy. I presume there will be little to do. It will be done in a snap. Not always true.

The book and movie Julie & Julia are popular right now. It’s all about the food. Okay and much more. For now I’m think of the first recipe Julie describes in her book about cooking her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking, it’s a recipe for potato soup. Few ingredients and simplicity itself she says. But Julie finds out that does not mean it is easy. The leeks for example have to be cleaned and cooked down. Yes it’s simple but it is time consuming. It’s also delicious.

Simple. Child’s play. Effortless. Hmm. Maybe not. Simple can pack a lot of punch. The unadorned truth is simple. God told us simply what is required: Love your neighbors as your self. Simple. Yet how easy is that when you neighbor is the entire human race? I don’t get along with everyone I meet. It is not that simple. Hmm. Yet it is in God’s eyes. So I have to look to Him for an answer. Simple also means graceful and unadorned. Or full of grace and transparent. I need to be filled with God’s grace and transparent in my actions to keep the simple commandment of loving my neighbor. It sounds simple but it’s not easy.

Posted 8/20/2009 @ 10:55 AM | Weekly Thoughts