Tag Archives: Simplicity

Devotional

The Road Less Traveled

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Read Deuteronomy 30:19-20

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT)

Image created by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of AI developed by Microsoft.

As a lifelong fan of Elton John, I have an immense appreciation for his artistry and the brilliant songwriting partnership he has had with Bernie Taupin for over five decades. My love for Elton John’s music began in my childhood, listening to his songs on 8-Track and vinyl, as he was one of my mom’s favorite artists. Taupin’s poetic, narrative lyrics have provided the perfect complement to Elton’s soaring melodies and vocal performances. Of all their collaborations, the 1973 classic “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” stands out as one of the most poignant and relatable songs in their vast catalog.

The song’s lyrics, penned by Taupin, speak to me on a deep, personal level. They evoke a longing for a simpler way of life, far removed from the trappings of fame, wealth, and the superficial “yellow brick road” that mainstream success can often represent. The opening lines immediately transport the listener to a place of disillusionment: “When are you gonna come down? When are you going to land? I should have stayed on the farm, I should have listened to my old man.”

These words resonate with me, as they capture the feeling of being caught up in the whirlwind of modern life, chasing after ambitions and material pursuits, only to realize that true fulfillment may lie in the simple joys and grounded existence we left behind. Growing up in a small rural New Jersey town, my childhood was filled with simple pleasures – taking day trips to nearby state parks, hiking portions of the Appalachian Trail, day trips to the Jersey shore. Some of my fondest memories are of working alongside my family in our yard, tending to the gardens, raking leaves, and simply enjoying each other’s company amidst nature’s beauty.

The narrator in the song expresses a desire to escape the superficial world of penthouses and societal expectations, declaring “You can’t plant me in your penthouse, I’m going back to my plough.” For me, this lyric sparks a longing for a return to that simplicity – being content with the basics that truly matter, not constantly striving for more. Even now, surrounded by the rural charm of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, I find myself yearning for that childlike wonder and satisfaction with life’s simple pleasures.

Yet, Taupin’s lyrics also acknowledge the harsh realities and potential consequences of rejecting the mainstream path. The narrator wonders, “What do you think you’ll do then? I bet they’ll shoot down the plane. It’ll take you a couple of vodka and tonics to set you on your feet again.” There’s a recognition that stepping off the “yellow brick road” may come at a cost, both personally and professionally.

Despite these warnings, the song’s resolution is unwavering: “Oh, I’ve finally decided my future lies beyond the yellow brick road.” This defiant declaration resonates deeply, reminding us that true happiness and fulfillment often lie in the road less traveled, in the pursuit of authenticity and a life aligned with our core values.

Elton John’s soaring vocals and Taupin’s evocative lyrics combine to create a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and comfort me whenever I find myself longing for a simpler, more grounded existence. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is a testament to the enduring power of their artistic partnership and a reminder that, even in the face of societal pressures and expectations, we must stay true to ourselves and our roots.

In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, Moses presents the Israelites with a profound choice – to choose life by obeying God’s commandments or to choose death by disobeying. This choice echoes the theme of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” where the lyrics express a longing to leave behind the allure of fame and fortune and return to a simpler, more authentic way of living. God’s ways are often simpler than our own, yet it is in our resisting obedience to God that causes us to complicate and trivialize life in a way that burdens us beyond belief.

Jesus extends the same invitation in Matthew 11:28-30, calling us to come to him and find rest for our souls. The world’s burdens and pursuits can leave us weary, but in Christ, we find a gentle and humble savior who offers us a light yoke and an easy burden. When we choose to follow him, we discover the true meaning of life – a life of purpose, peace, and eternal significance. Like the narrator in the song, we are called to “go back to our plough,” returning to the simple yet profound truths of God’s word and ways. It is a choice to leave behind the distractions and false promises of the world and embrace the authentic, fulfilling life that God has lovingly designed for God’s children.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
True life is found not in chasing the “Yellow Brick Road” of worldly success but in choosing to follow Christ and obey God’s commandments.

PRAYER
Lord, help us to choose the road that leads to life – a life of obedience, purpose, and rest in you. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.

Devotional

God’s People, part 74: Naaman

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Read 2 Kings 5:1-19

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.” (Luke 4:27 NLT)

When we think of God’s people, we tend to think one of two things. We might think of the Israelites who were God’s “chosen people”, or we might think of specific characters in the Bible. Either way, we tend to idealize the people we are thinking about. For instance, we may think that God’s people are super faithful, holy, perform miracles and live wholly devout and righteous lives. Unfortunately, this idealism enables us to distance ourselves from being God’s people, because we feel that we fall short of those ideals. As such, I have decided to write a devotion series on specific characters in the Bible in order to show you how much these Biblical people are truly like us, and how much we are truly called to be God’s people.

Part 74: Naaman. Having just read the Scripture above, you might be wondering why I am devoting a devotion on Naaman and, for that matter, why I included one on the widow of Zarephath. After all, it was the Hebrews that were God’s people, right? On the one hand, yes. Covenantally, God had a special relationship with the people of the tribes of Israel; however, every human being on earth was created by God. Thus, properly speaking, all people are God’s people. This truth is seen both in the Old and New Testaments, where God interacts, redeems, and saves people of other “Gentile” nations.

Naaman was the commander of the Aramaean army, under King Ben-Hadad II (aka King Hadadezer). Damascus Aram was the offical name of the kingdom, and was located in the area of what is now known as Damascus, Syria. Thus, Naaman was Aramaean or Syrian and not an Israelite at all; however, he ends up with an infectious skin disease. In that time period, such a disease was considered to be a sign that one was cursed by the gods, and so it was a shame upon Naaman and his family.

What is remarkable in this story is that Naaman, an Aramaean, turns to the Israelite prophet Elisha for help. A careful reading of the story shows just how remarkable this is. Naaman had invaded the Kingdom of Israel and took captives from it, including an Israelite girl as a maid for his wife. Naaman, the great Aramaean was, thus, an enemy of the Israelites.

What’s remarkable is that the maid that Naaman took as a captive is the one who suggested to his wife that he should go see the prophet Elisha. Talk about loving your enemy! What’s even more remarkable is that Naaman actually took her advice and sought out the prophet of his enemy. What a witness this unnamed Israelite maid was that day, speaking up out of concern for the one who enslaved her.

Of course, went to see Elisha in order that he might be healed, and he was willing to pay whatever it cost to be cured of the dreaded disease that was afflicting him. Elisha was more than willing to help him out; however, Naaman was disappointed when all that Elisha asked him to do was to bathe seven times in the Jordan river. “How could that possibly heal me”, he wondered? He was so disappointed and unimpressed, angry even, with Elisha and his request that he began to storm back to his kingdom dejected and still afflicted with leprosy.

Thankfully, Naaman had some wise officers surrounding him, and one of them reasoned with him. “If Elisha had asked you to do something difficult, you would have done it to be cured, wouldn’t you have? If so, then you should definitely obey him when he simply says, ‘Go was and be clean.’” Naaman, to his credit, listened to that officer. He went back to the Jordan River and washed in it seven times and was completely healed from the leprosy.

The story of Naaman’s healing should all cause us to pause and reflect. How many times have we sought God’s hope, healing and wholeness? How many of us have wished that God would just wave an arm over us and magically heal us of whatever is affecting us? How many of us become disappointed when God didn’t come through in the way we had hoped for? The question that follows these is this, has that caused you to lose faith and hope in God? Has it caused you to grow angry and to storm back to the barren land of hopelessness?

The challenge today is for us to reevaluate our faith. God IS WITH US, whether we open our eyes to see that. Healing is being offered to us, even if it does not come in the form we are looking for? Will we storm off, as Naaman originally did? Or will we, as Naaman eventually did, humble ourselves before God and have faith that God IS restoring us back to hope, healing and wholeness? Trust in God, place your faith in the Creator of all things and trust that whatever happens God is with you. Don’t come to God with expecations, but open to God’s presence and to all possibilities.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Simple is often more…miraculous!

PRAYER
Lord, help me to find you in simplicity and to not overlook you because I am expecting something ore complicated. Amen.