Simplification begins with an examination of who we are, not what we do. Our lives get off track when we let our 'doings' define us. It has been said that "Insanity is when we continue to do the same things over and over again expecting different results." What we are doing may be taking us further away from the truth of our true identity. One of the first questions asked in our modern culture is "What do you do?" as if the answer will disclose who we are. We exchange business cards in an attempt to mark out our reason for existence on the planet. Often we lose ourselves in an abundance of activities taken on in the attempt to find ourselves.

Our lives are simplified when we heed the maxim: 'Identity precedes function.' What is our identity? Philosophers have attempted to acknowledge that we are 'human beings' and not just 'human doings'. They acknowledge a core of self-awareness: "I think, therefore I am." They acknowledge the quest for meaning and purpose that transcends our biological functions and physical need for survival. Theologians go further and appeal to the special revelation of Scripture in order to understand our identity. We are more than the essence of our thinking and doing. We are more than brain and brawn. We are spiritual beings, made for a relationship with God.

Jesus said, "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." The Bible teaches that we were created in the image of a Triune God, who exists as a community of oneness, three distinct inter-relational persons, one in essence. This relational God created us to reflect His nature as relational beings, planners, providers and creators. We are made for inter-personal relationships.

A bulk of the New Testament's teaching outlines our God-given relationships, our responsibilities to them and our goals for them: Jesus affirmed that our primary relationship is with God. Our primary responsibility is to love God. Our primary goal is to please God. As we keep what is primary in view, all our other relationships, responsibilities, roles and goals, find their proper place. Jesus taught that there is great joy and freedom when we maximize our relationship with God.

When Augustine wrote, "Love God and do what you will," he was not advocating lawlessness. He was observing that our love for God purifies all other loves, including human desires, and clarifies all other important responsibilities. Loving God causes us to live for His pleasure. This is what Jesus Christ modeled (Luke 2:49; John 5:19,30; 2Peter 1:17; Matthew 3:17;17:5; John 12:27-28).

Keep the main thing, the main thing. The Apostle Paul wrote: "But ONE thing I do." He runs a race for the Father's pleasure. He wants to know Christ in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, he presses on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called him heavenward in Christ Jesus. The greatest reward is to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (See Philippians 3:10-15; Matthew 25:21).

Bill Cosby wrote, "I don't know the key to success, but I do know the key to failure. It is to try to please everybody." Jesus knows the key to success: It is to live for the Father's pleasure. To do this takes faith in what God has promised in His word, courage to face a crowd who may oppose and misunderstand, and perseverance to follow through with God-given assignments until they are completed.

Olympic athlete Eric Liddell, whose life is depicted in the film, "Chariots of Fire" said, "When I run, I feel the Father's pleasure." Are we properly stewarding the gifts that He has given us? What are the minimal things that you are doing in your life right now that you know are pleasing to God (through the Word and witness of His Spirit)? Do not neglect them. In our age of excessive options, opportunities, attractions and distractions beckoning for our attention, we need to learn how to say 'no' that we might say 'yes' to God. Start to simplify your life by learning to maximize the minimum. Do not leave the important at the mercy of the trivial. Learn to focus on what gives God glory and pleasure.