I am on vacation on the Island of Antigua in the Carribean.  As we left the airport, I couldn’t help but notice the amount of poverty that is on the island.  Most of the houses are the size of living rooms up north.  I saw children walking from school, some as young as my Denay who is 6.  Lots of people were sitting on porches or simply standing in their yards.  Once we reached the resort, there were tons of folks who worked serving others for a living.  All of these people seem to be living what I call the simple life.  There were no big houses, or expensive cars that I saw.  No one stood out because of their designer clothing.  I don’t even think there is a mall there.  And yet everyone is frendly and has a smile on their face.  No one seems to be stressed out or in a hurry.  Could it be they have the secret to the simple life.

As I pondered over these thoughts while looking out into the carribean sea, I thought God desires all of us to live the simple life.  But what would that look like back in the states.  Especially Boston, where everyone is in a hurry to get some where.  So I have come up with four keys to the simple life. 

1. Put God first.  He is the reason we are able to live and move and have our being.  If He is not first we will put other less important things there that will utimately stress us out.

2. Commit to spiritual disciplines.  Bible reading, prayer and fasting.  These will help you to keep your eyes on Jesus, and off the world.  The world is contantly trying to squeeze us into its mold.  We must resist the temptation to compare ourselves with the world. 

3. Renew your mind.  All permenant change can only take place by changing your perception of reality.  We tend to think we deserve more than we do.  When the truth is the only thing we all deserve is death.  But thank God, through His Son Jesus Christ that we have been forgiven.

4. Learn contentment.  Paul said I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret to being content whether well feed or hungry, whether living with plenty or in want.  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  God promises to provide all of our needs not our greeds.

So I will end with this question, are you living the simple life, or does your life seem to be on big mess after another?  

Well it has been almost a week and I still feel a lump in my stomach.  18 and 1 can you believe it.  What an amazing season.  I don’t think there will ever be another one like it for a long time.  But many will try to tear down what was accomplished due to the controversy surrounding the team. To that all I can say is, when you are on top no body wants to see you stay there.  Even some of the people who were cheering you on, will root against you after awhile.

There are so many spiritual lessons to be learned from our near perfect season, however the main one that keeps coming to my mind is the idea of finishing strong.  The Apostle Paul said, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)  Paul was a finisher.

Now lets look at King Solomon.  He had a good father.  He received good advice.  He made a good request.  He performed good projects.  He even had a good prayer life.  He started life off good.  The only problem, he neglected to finish strong. (1 Kings 11)

See it doesn’t matter how good the season was, by next year it will be a distant memory.  The only thing that people will remember is that we neglected to finish strong.

May God bless you to finish strong.  So that when your life is over and you are standing in front of Him, you will hear the words, well done My good and faithful servant.  That is the only thing that matters in life.