The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers.  A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles.  All the believers were united and shared everything.  They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them.  Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity.  They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved. Acts 2: 42-47

 Last summer, my girls (and some of their friends) got to experience real simplicity.  We stayed at a friends farm and we swam, kayaked, fished, laughed, and more.  We did have the comforts of home:  things like TV, phones, air conditioning.  We only left the property to get more food, particularly ice cream.  Larry and I worried the girls would get bored and unhappy.  Instead we watched those girls embrace the simplicity of life on the farm.  As the scripture says, “they shared food with gladness and simplicity.”

We live in a complicated world.  It is practically impossible to escape the challenges of busy schedules, sick children, older parents, unemployment, prejudice, racism, sexism, terrorism… well the list seems endless.  Perhaps you find yourself wishing for those simple days, those simple times gone by.

One of my favorite songs was written in the 1800’s by a Shaker, Joseph Brackett.  It is a worship song and within the lyrics, you can find instructions for dancing as well.  It is called “Simple Gifts”.

Its a gift to be simple, Its a gift to be free,
Its the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
Will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend, we will not be ashamed,
To turn, turn, will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right

The early believers lived a simple life.  They shared their resources and they gathered at one table to eat.  They made sure that all had what they needed and they lived simple lives filled with love for Jesus Christ and love for one another.

We often think that simplicity of life means we go backwards: before cell phones and texting; before the internet and Google; before video games and cable television; before Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  But if we are honest , those things and more are here to stay.

So what does simplicity look like in the midst of today’s technology?  It looks a lot like it did when the first Christians gathered around the table together to share a meal and to share their resources.  We might have an alarm set on our phone to remind us of the time to meet for dinner or we might text others to invite them to join us.  But at the heart of it all is this:  we gather in love, we offer thanks to our Creator and our Redeemer, and we reach out to those around us in love.  It doesn’t matter if they share the same political philosophy, if they are conservative or liberal, old or young, black or white, gay or straight.

When the girls had worn themselves out swimming and paddling and jumping they came inside and joined Larry in front of the TV.  You see, it was Harry Potter’s birthday and so one of the channels had a Harry Potter marathon going on.  Again, they joined together in their love for one another and enjoyed the simplicity of the farm.

Its a gift to be simple, Its a gift to be free,
Its the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
Will be in the valley of love and delight.

I pray you find yourself in the valley of love and delight today.