Sometimes in life, we make things too complicated.  We ponder the mysteries.  We ae paralyzed by all the different choices that we have in life.  What are we to do?  What are our options?  What is faith and the Christian life supposed to look like?

It all seems so very complicated sometimes.  Within that, listen to the words of Amos 5: 14-15:

14 Do what is good and run from evil
so that you may live!
Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper,
just as you have claimed.
15 Hate evil and love what is good;
turn your courts into true halls of justice.
Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies
will have mercy on the remnant of his people.

Do what is good.  Run from evil.  That’s pretty simple, huh?  And that’s a good baseline for the Christian lifestyle. Do what is good.  Run from evil.

Now, yes, there are difficult moments when we aren’t sure what is right.  There are places and times when we can be unsure about our choices.  Yes, there are moments like that.  There are places we all struggle and are confused.

But, should we love others?

Should we hurt others?

Should we forgive?

Should we live by the 10 Commandments?  Should we take advantage of others?  Should we pray with our children?  Should we give?  Should we turn the other cheek?

We know the answers to these questions, don’t we?  Faith is not something that is lived in the clouds.  Faith is something that is lived in the everyday.

It’s not always complicated.  But it is often hard.  And that’s why the text said the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be our helper.  We can do these things, with God’s help.

We can.

Today, live that simple faith.  Avoid evil.  Do good.  All will be well. And God will be by our side, through it all.

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