Over the TopSample

Have you ever taken a test, read a question, and were so sure you knew the answer you wrote it down so fast and started second-guessing it? Maybe you start thinking, "Wait, this is a test. There's no way the answer is that easy!" and immediately start overthinking it. You erase your first answer and replace it with one you are unsure about, only to erase that answer so you can rewrite your original response. Maybe this happens a few more times, only to settle on your first answer. This is classic overthinking, and everyone has done it.

It's easy to do something similar when it comes to following Jesus. You may read Matthew 22:36–40, look at Jesus' answer, and think, "Wait . . . love God and love your neighbor? That's it? It can't be that simple."

But it really is that simple. When it comes to living our lives for Jesus, we tend to overthink it. We come up with a thousand reasons we don't measure up to an impossible standard when really, all it takes is loving God and others.

All the cool theology and Bible stuff you know, or the volunteer work you do, is awesome, but it isn't until you allow those things to expand your love for God and your neighbor that you are really following Jesus.

So the next time you're wondering what the point of following Jesus is, don't overthink it. Read Matthew 22:36–40 and pursue being part of a community that desires to love God and their neighbor.