Keep It Simple

In 2004, Geico Insurance launched a marketing campaign with the tagline “It’s so easy, a caveman can do it.” Their ads featured a caveman living in the present day, fully immersed and integrated into modern life. The underlying premise of the commercials was that since Geico made their services simple and user-friendly, even someone with little understanding, like a prehistoric Neanderthal, would find it easy to comprehend and use. In other words, what Geico was communicating to its viewers is that simple equals easy.

It’s true that simple and easy are often used interchangeably, but in reality, not everything that’s simple is also easy to do. Take, for example, diet and nutrition. Most of us, even without formal training or education in nutrition, understand to some degree that to eat healthier, we should include more fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and reduce processed foods like bagged chips, cookies, and desserts. Simple, right? Easy? Hardly! It’s much easier to place that Uber Eats order, grab something on the go or give in to those late-night snacks.

It’s a paradox that some things in life can be incredibly simple yet extremely difficult at the same time. This paradox is even evident in the Bible. In some of the final moments with his disciples before Jesus completes his mission on the cross, he gives his closest followers a new command to follow. His command is simple: “Love one another” (John 13:34). In fact, following this single command would be the defining trait of being a disciple. He goes on to say, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (v. 35).

Back then, as well as today, followers of Jesus are most recognized as his disciples by how we love others. It’s not our elaborate ministry strategies, comprehensive studies on a biblical theme or time spent in church activities. It is by our love. Pretty simple, but not easy.

Loving others can be one of the hardest things we do, especially when we try to love someone who has hurt us, disagrees with us or is even downright hostile. Yet Jesus says that if we are to be his disciples, we need to love others, even (and especially) those who are difficult to love. This doesn’t mean throwing a party for someone who opposes us, although that might actually have some merit.

Loving someone doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s as simple as offering a warm smile, holding back a harsh comment or choosing to see someone’s story through the lens of compassion instead of judgment. Love can look like asking honest questions instead of launching into arguments or refusing to label people and instead choosing connection. Yes, loving others can be hard. But as followers of Jesus, this is exactly what we’re called to do. And even when we stumble, which we will —we have a Savior who meets us with grace because he loves us. That kind of love should motivate us to extend the same to others.