The Lord brought to mind two things today while I worked out under a relentless Texas sun. The first, a Scripture: “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

The second, the lyrics of a song I sang at Young Life so many years ago. 

He’s Everything to Me:

by Ralph Carmichael

In the stars His handiwork I see,
On the wind He speaks with majesty,
Though He ruleth over land and sea,
What is that to me?

I will celebrate Nativity,
For it has a place in history,
Sure, He came to set His people free,
What is that to me?

Till by faith I met Him face to face,
and I felt the wonder of His grace,
Then I knew that He was more  than just a
God who didn’t care,
That lived a way out there and

Now He walks beside me day by day,
Ever watching o’er me lest I stray,
Helping me to find that narrow way,
He’s Everything to me.

(Last time I wrote about the Young Life songbook, I got several requests to purchase it. You can buy used copies on Amazon, but I found this to be more helpful.)

I love the simplicity of this song, how it brings the singer from far to close, from away to near. We look at the stars, knowing there’s a creator, but what in the world does that have to do with little ol’ us? It’s not until we meet Jesus face to face that everything becomes clear.

I thought a lot about this today, how complicated I’ve made my devotion to Christ. It’s actually quite simple.

Follow the narrow way.

Walk beside Jesus day by day.

Live in such a way that Jesus becomes everything.

What is it that pulls me away from following, walking and living this way?

• Worry
• Complications
• Circumstances
• Fear
• Busyness
• Relationships
• A crowded head

What about you? What pulls you away from simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ? When has Jesus been your everything?