Music has always been woven into the fabric of our family. Recently, when my son came to visit, I was reminded of something special—whenever he and his brother were together, one song always seemed to rise above the rest: “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
It wasn’t just the steady guitar or the familiar melody they loved—it was the message. They saw themselves in it. Men who didn’t need to complicate life… men who simply wanted to love Jesus and walk with Him.
“Son, be a simple kind of man… take your time, don’t live too fast… troubles will come and they will pass… and don’t forget, son, there is Someone up above.”
There’s something deeply comforting about that kind of simplicity. Jesus Himself chose the ordinary—fishermen, laborers, those overlooked by society. He wasn’t searching for status or perfection. He was looking for hearts willing to follow Him.
Proverbs reminds us that strength is found in walking with the Lord. Not in striving. Not in proving. But in trusting.
And while life will bring its share of hardships, those very struggles often become the places where God does His deepest work. What feels like weakness can become strength. What feels like breaking can become refining.
Isaiah 40:31 promises that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength—that they will rise, run, and walk without fainting.
And in Ephesians 6:10, we’re reminded to be strong—not in ourselves—but in Him.
Zach Williams captures this beautifully in his song “Jesus Loves”: “Every dream shattered, bruised and battered…every heartbroken, lonely soul…every outcast…these are the ones Jesus chose.”
Isn’t that reassuring? God isn’t looking for perfection. He’s looking for surrender.
All we have to do is choose Him—again and again—and trust that He will lead us. To live simply. To love deeply. To follow faithfully.
Because even in the darkest places…he’s leaving a light on so you know where to run to.
Consider these possibilities:
What would it look like in your life today to truly live as a “simple man”—fully trusting God instead of striving for control?
Are there areas of your life where hardship might actually be God’s way of strengthening and refining your heart?
