Easy

“Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.”
Luke 3:5 NIV
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During the 2005 Super Bowl, Staples launched a new ad campaign centered around one question: What if organizing your business were as easy as pressing a button? They even had a literal button. It was red and had the word “EASY” printed on it in white text.

It’s funny. Well, it’s mostly funny, with a hint of “Oooooh man, I kinda wish that button were for real. I would use it for SO MANY THINGS. Dishes – boop – DONE!”

That was kinda John the Baptist’s job – He was the Easy Button for people meeting Jesus. The prophet Isaiah spoke about him a long time before he was even a twinkle in his parents’ eyes:

⁴As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
⁵Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
⁶And all people will see God’s salvation.’” (Luke 3:4-6 NIV)

John was born to prepare the way for the Lord; to help make the Savior or the world accessible to all.

Make straight paths
Fill in valleys
Level mountains and hills
Straighten crooked roads
Smooth rough ways

I want to see God’s Salvation! BOOP. Easy. No mountains to climb. No jagged cliffs to be wary of. No deep abyss to repel down or wobbly bridges to cross. You seek the Son of God – the promised salvation? Nothing is stopping you from walking right up to him RIGHT. NOW.

It occurs to me that I’m here on this earth for the very same reason as John. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you’re here on this earth for the same reason, too. Let our lives be a joyful effort to make Jesus easy to find.

Care for orphans and widows in their distress.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Forgive.
Forgive.
FORGIVE.
Be love. Be the 1 Corinthians 13 kinda love.

Let God be the one controlling your tongue, your feet, your hands, your eyes, and your soul. Let his grace overflow out of every moment you are alive. Meet people where there are at on their mountaintops and in their valleys and help them see God is not far from them.

This week I will be asking God to help me be a smooth path, rather than a stumbling block, to anyone my life touches. I want my faith to be something that helps others see God easily.

I want to be the Easy Button in their spiritual journey. Anyone else want prayers for this? Comment below!!!!

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Dear Lord, nearly every day I forget how EASY you are. You are right here, in my life, ready, willing and able to help me with anything I’m facing. You are celebrating with my joy, you are holding me in my grief. Please help me to live in such a way that it becomes clear to those around me how REAL and EASY your love is. Thank you for letting me be a part of that love. Amen.