Keep it Simple

One of the worst things a teenager is required to endure is sitting in a classroom environment and listening to a boring teacher as they lecture the whole period in a feeble attempt to teach.  I know this from personal experience.  Let’s face it, some lecturers are just plain boring to put it bluntly.  You can probably relate to what I’m saying.

Student participation influences better understanding of lessons, in my opinion.  Presenting basic commentary plus clear explanations, while being careful not to bore, encourages learning. 

The above strategy simplifies learning in lieu of kids tuning out a monotone voice that echoes back-and-forth between the ears without finding lodging in distracted or preoccupied brains.

“Keep it simple” is my motto, though I may have to eat these words by the end of this writing.  I hope you do not become bored reading it, because my mind is racing with several thoughts.

It takes a special ability to present lessons in a way that people are not turned ‘off’ from the presentation, whereas, if instructors are too windy, the time spent listening quickly becomes stale, and it becomes an effort in futility to grasp what is being said.

Talk about boredom, seminars are notorious for having quest speakers with droning, dull voices that challenge even the best of listeners to keep their eyes open and not fall asleep.  And let us not forget certain college professors who are intellectually astute and full of knowledge, and perhaps full of themselves at times, yet they lack the ability to keep it simple when teaching.

It's sad when their lessons soar over the heads of simplistic thinkers with average intelligence and understanding.  Having to use ‘Google Word Search’ to understand intellectual, mindboggling words that instructors use should not have to be implemented when listening, but I’m jesting, yet so true.

Orators using non-comprehensive phraseology make it difficult to grasp the concept and bottom-line content being presented.  I’m headed somewhere, so be patient and stick with me.

Someone thought up the following group of letters that go along with today’s thoughts.  “K.I.S.S.” will sometimes raise its uppercase letters in the minds of those on the receiving end of word-salads.  The phrase is “Keep It Simple Stupid.” 

Personally, I leave out the last word, as in the title of this writing.  Don’t misconstrue what I’ve just written as being anti-education, disrespectful or unappreciative of educated scholars that truly care about educating tomorrow’s leaders.  I feel they are not appreciated enough.

It takes dedication, higher education, and a certain type of personality to accomplish the task of influencing others to enhance their knowledge through teaching.  It’s not just a job for most educators; they want to impact individuals in positive ways. 

These are special people desiring to accomplish the charge before them of sharing in a cohesive manner, while keeping it simple.  Most scholars are gifted with the ability to relate in such a way that topics are interesting, thus bringing the listeners to a level of improved understanding regarding the facts presented.  This information finds lodging in hungry, inquisitive minds.

Being able to relate with others is where simplification enters the art of disciplining oneself to maintain harmony with regards to basic, non-boring presentations.  This practice, coupled with pertinent information, can sway a person’s thinking and stimulate their mind to accept new ideas.

These are the impacting pluses that pertain to high-quality orators, teachers, professors, preachers, evangelists, and those witnessing about the magnificence of becoming a born-again Believer, which brings me to my long-awaited point.

The idiom or gist of today’s writing is relative to the ability of sharing the “good news” about Jesus in a cohesive manner, without boring another person or persons.  Sharing takes patience and faith in God to help the words spoken to find lodging in another person’s heart.

Sometimes it feels like I’m having to move mountains with the faith I have that is no larger in size than a mustard seed, one of the smallest of all seeds.  Sharing the truth of God’s word, with faith, go hand in hand as I witness about God’s love for humanity.

Faith pertains to spiritual things and provides confidence in oneself when feelings of inadequacy arise, while facing mountains of challenging situations.  Examples are work related situations, the ups and downs of marriage, or the mere thought of extending our abilities beyond the comfort zone of simplicity to witness for Christ or step out in faith to minister to someone in need.

It is important to recognize that it’s by faith in God’s strength that we do anything for Christ and not within our own power when putting forth an effort to succeed at whatever our heart is coaxing us to do.  Telling others about Jesus requires faith.

Giving away from ourselves also takes faith.  Yes, faith can move mountains that stand in our way when trying to obtain success.  Christians are at the top of their game when they step out in faith to accomplish something in the name of Jesus; it will no doubt happen because of the driving force of the Holy Spirit within them.

(Ephesians 3:20), “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

(James 2:17), “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”  

Remember, we are strong in the Lord.  We need not try to be like someone else that we perceive to be smarter than us or more spiritual.  We should always be ourselves, because God uses certain types of personalities in different scenarios and areas of ministry.

My personality may clash with another person’s persona, whereas someone else’s personality may not.  God chooses certain individuals for the tasks at hand who He knows will get the job done.  I am reminded of Moses, the friend of God.

Moses felt inadequate because of a speech impediment that buffeted him, but God chose him despite his feelings and shortcomings to lead the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt—out of oppression and bondage.  Moses felt powerless to do the impossible.  He lacked self-confidence, but God knew he would achieve the goal.

We cannot be someone else no matter how hard we try.  God uses people like you and me to bring about His will, with our personality, while helping us determine that by faith we can move any mountain with God at our side, one shovel at a time if need be.

(Philippians 4:13), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

When sharing with others about the love of God and what He can do for them, I use simplicity of words, nothing over a person’s head.  I don’t want to come across as holier-than-thou and having all the answers.  I keep it simple.  I share my testimony of God’s saving grace and the mercy He showed to me and then allow the Lord to do the rest.

When Jesus shared God’s message to the multitudes of people that sometimes thronged Him, they understood His teachings and wanted to know more of what He had to offer.  Jesus used words at their level of understanding.  He related His messages using parables that the people could relate to. 

The Lord was not boring but was interesting to listen to as He shared the basics regarding God’s plan for their lives—not too deep, but intellectually understandable for all who heard Him speak.

Simplification in the delivery, when sharing the Truth of God’s word, accomplishes positive results.  The amazing, yet simple message that Jesus died for our sins, wins souls to Christ.  Salvation is easy to achieve when a person confesses their sins to God.

(Isaiah 35:8), “And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”

Simplifying one’s efforts when witnessing, like a non-boring teacher or college professor, will feed a person’s curiosity to the point of helping them make life-changing decisions.  Keep it simple when witnessing for Christ. 

Allow the Holy Spirit to prick the hearts of those needing Jesus with the words they just heard, which stimulated their minds and hearts to know Him.

(Ephesians 2:8-10), “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,” (vs 9) “not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (vs 10) “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd