Twenty-two years ago, I watched tech specialists color-code connections on our school’s first Smart Board to make it “idiot-proof” for teachers. Green plug to green socket, purple to purple. At the time, it seemed unnecessary—why couldn’t everyone just figure it out naturally? Years later, I realized God had done something similar with our spiritual lives.
God’s Color-Coded System for Our Faith
Remember how frustrating technology can be when it feels overwhelming? Faith can feel that way too. We’re bombarded with messages about what a “good Christian” looks like—prayer routines, Bible reading plans, ministry involvement, and endless spiritual disciplines that leave us exhausted.
But in Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Moses delivers his final message to the Israelites before his death, and he makes living for God refreshingly simple. He essentially color-codes the spiritual life:
- Love the Lord your God
- Obey His voice
- Hold fast to Him (cling tightly)
That’s it. No complicated theology or exhaustive checklist—just love, obey, and hold tight. Moses adds that “this is your life and the length of your days.” The simplicity is revolutionary when you really think about it.
What might change if we stopped overcomplicating our faith and focused on these three fundamentals? When we find ourselves spiritually drained, it’s worth asking which of these three connections might have come loose.
When Religion Replaces Relationship
The religious leaders of Jesus’ time had completely missed the simplicity of Moses’ message. In Matthew 23, Jesus confronts them, saying they “tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.”
Sound familiar? How often have we encountered (or even created) versions of Christianity that burden rather than liberate? Churches and leaders sometimes add layers of expectations that Jesus never intended—specific worship styles, dress codes, political alignments, or cultural preferences that become unofficial requirements for “true believers.”
Jesus wasn’t impressed with this approach. He called out the religious leaders who cared more about appearances and titles than about genuinely loving God, obeying His voice, and holding fast to Him. Their complicated religious system was actually pushing people away from the simple connection God designed.
Next time you feel the weight of religious expectations pressing down, ask yourself: “Is this burden from Jesus, or is it something else entirely?” The answer might surprise you.
The Invitation to Rest
Look at Matthew 11:28-30 with fresh eyes. Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus isn’t offering yet another spiritual burden; He’s offering relief from our self-imposed religious exhaustion.
The Christian life isn’t meant to feel like we’re constantly behind, never measuring up, always straining. If that’s our experience, we’ve likely disconnected from the simple “color-coded” system God provided. When we prioritize loving Jesus, obeying His voice, and holding tight to Him, everything else falls into proper perspective.
Faith becomes less about religious performance and more about relationship. The burden lightens. The yoke feels easier. We experience the rest Jesus promised.
Choosing What Matters Most
In the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:41-42, Martha was bustling around, preparing everything perfectly for Jesus’ visit. Meanwhile, her sister Mary simply sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach. When Martha complained, Jesus gently corrected her: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things. But only one thing is necessary, and Mary has chosen the good part.”
Martha wasn’t wrong for serving—hospitality matters. But she had allowed good things to crowd out the best thing. Mary instinctively followed God’s “color-coded” system: she positioned herself to love Jesus, hear His voice to obey, and held fast to His presence.
When life feels overwhelming and faith feels complicated, this story reminds us to pause and evaluate. Are we running ourselves ragged with spiritual busyness while missing the simple connection Jesus offers?
The beautiful truth is that God doesn’t need our exhausting religious effort. He desires our love, our obedience, and our close connection. The freedom comes in realizing that when these three elements are in place, everything else naturally flows from there.
Faith was never meant to be complicated. Love God. Obey His voice. Hold tight to Jesus. Everything else is commentary.
Peace,
Todd