Plain and Simple

In the village where I was born in Guyana, there were a few scholars (mostly self-taught) who, I believe, had better educational opportunities been available to them, would have contributed significantly to academia.

There was one such fellow known as Prophet Willis.

I never could figure out whether Prophet was his given name or his nickname because of his many quotations. A person needed a dictionary to understand responses to simple questions, such as, “How are you doing today?” One such response was recorded when Prophet Willis had tried to buy some fish.

He inquired about the price of the fish. Upon receiving a reply from the fishmonger, Prophet Willis offered this rebuke: “Oh, thou mean and perverse vendor! Dost thou think it wise in bestowing unto me such an impecunious amount of these aquatic creatures for such an exorbitant dowry?” “Did you hear what he said?” people asked one another. Needless to say, this particular quote went around the village like wildfire, being repeated many times. We children even memorized it word for word. The children of God do not have to be confused as to what He is saying to us.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30, KJV). In Jeremiah 31:3, God declares, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (KJV). In 1 Peter 5:7, God entreats us to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us. In Philippians 4:19, He promises to supply all our needs, and in 1 John 5:3, He assures us that “his commandments are not grievous” (KJV).

Finally, He invites us to open the door of our heart so that He can come in to stay with us. His words to us are plain and simple.

If you haven’t done so yet, won’t you give the uncomplicated Jesus a try?

Vashti Hinds-Vanier