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“From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.” Matthew 16:21 (NLT)

My morning scriptures took me to Matthew 16. I don’t stick to just one translation but lately I’ve been hanging out in the NLT (New Living Translation). And today the words, “began to tell his disciples plainly…” jumped off the page to me.

I sat back, took a sip of coffee, and asked myself, “Do I make it a goal to say important things ‘plainly’?”

Or… “Do I complicate things that should be so crystal clear?”

Does my spouse know that I love her?
Do my kids know I am proud of them?
Does the person I’ve forgiven know that I’ve forgiven them?
Does the person I’ve offended know that I’m contrite and apologetic?
Can those in a coffee shop tell that I’m a Christ-follower?
Do the people in my life know that I am for them?

I believe today’s scripture is reaching into the depths of me to challenge me to “tell them plainly.”

Not everything needs to be complicated; You may not even need words. Stop making other work for what God has richly and freely given you. I’m not saying that making it “plain” makes all of your problems go away, but it does position you (and others) to know what you’re working with in order to get healthier.

Receive the love, grace, and blessings of God today.

Then make it plain. Make it understandable. Make it attainable.

Thanks for letting me ramble…