As a teenager, I remember my bishop giving me my yearly interview.
I was doing great: reading the scriptures each day, praying, serving in callings, not really fighting with my siblings…
It was great to sit in an interview and feel really great about what I was doing.
And then, my bishop wisely asked me what I was working on to try and improve in my life right now.
I naively responded, “Nothing right now!”
Oh, to have that confidence that I had then.
Living “the gospel” was simple in my mind, and I was checking all the boxes I had in front of me.
This makes me think of the wise saying in Proverbs 1:22.
“How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?” (Proverbs 1:22)
Now I totally have compassion on younger Cali, and subsequent life lessons were given to me that very much highlighted the unending plethora of things in my life that needed to be improved.
The gospel really is simple.
But that doesn’t mean that the gospel is lived simply.
Loving God and loving others is a whole lot of work.
A lot of discomfort.
A lot of trial and error.
A lot of repentance and change, over and over.
I am ALL FOR simplification…
In most areas.
How long will we long for a gospel that is more simple to actually accomplish?
Or is it time to embrace the all-in, complicated, sometimes messy, but oh-so-fulfilling gospel of Jesus Christ?
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
