Have you ever wanted to do something and had that one person who overcomplicated it with all the things that could go wrong, making it seem impossible?

Overcomplicating, even with good intentions, can be detrimental to our faith and joy. While there’s a time for attention to detail, unintentionally overcomplicating something can steer us away from our original intentions. Let’s simplify our faith, with belief as our focus, and witness how it draws us closer to the glory of God. Never forget that the greatest miracle there is involves simply believing for it to take place. Jesus made me a New Creation by faith! A brand new species was created by faith. He kept it simple.

Overcomplicating happens when someone gets too caught up in the how from a logical point of view. It leads to imagining all the things that may prevent the how before the desire can even take root in the heart. Jesus witnessed this when He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead.

John 11:38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time, there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Over the years, I have witnessed many put a strong emphasis on God’s glory in an effort to create a desire for it in others. Years ago, I was one of the ones guilty of ignorantly doing such a thing. In an effort to see manifested glory, it’s possible to get too caught up in the how and overcomplicate it until it seems impossible to see it happen. Jesus makes things simple and thus doable.

The Lord Himself reveals the simple key to any experience of the glory of God. “If you believe.”

Jesus said, “These signs shall follow those who believe.” He did not say those who do these signs will believe. Believing precedes any true experience that is real.

In the case of Lazarus’ sisters and friends, Jesus did not say that if you do certain things, you will witness the glory of God. He said very clearly, “If you believe.” Lazarus was raised from the dead against the natural realities of being in the grave for four days and already decomposing. That is an exhibition of glory! It is one of the strongest exhibitions there is, and Jesus said it was available by just believing. This emphasizes the power of belief over actions, giving us hope and empowerment in experiencing God’s glory.

Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches, the Father may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Here, we find Jesus dwells in our hearts “by faith.” It also reveals that faith is the result of the Father strengthening us in our inner man. We also discover that by growing in our knowing the love of Christ, we are filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. This is just so simple. It encourages us to pursue knowing the love of Christ, which will result in experiencing the measure of all the fullness of God.