"I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity."
--Oliver Wendell Holmes
In our world, where there is a seductive call to over-simplify and categorize too much, I find it important to realize that our world is a complex one. Perhaps genious is the ability to discover that elegant simplicity that dwells beyond the complexities.
What do you think?
3 comments:
I think it is a matter of narrowing our focus. We tend to try to take on too much information, which becomes overwhelming. We need to take the time to step back, look at what is important, and make that our primary focus. Perhaps then we can see the simpler side of things.
I believe Christ revealed to us the "simplicity within the complexity" so to speak. He began the conversion process for us (through His called disciples) by simply saying "follow me." He could boil down the complex set of some 613 Jewish laws to it's simplistic essence - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself." He rendered the whole of the Christian walk down to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you as well." There is simplicity this side of complexity!
Jesus genius for simplicity is why we call him master. When one of his followers seeks to "love an enemy" who is bent upon doing harm, that follower soon learns that it is very complex and not simplistic at all.
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