Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.
James 4:8

One of the most obvious things about the Amish way of life is their desire to yield to God and please Him by the things they say and do. They teach their children to pray before and after each meal. They attend church together and sing songs about God. They give of themselves to others.

While all these things are pleasing to God, what pleases Him more than anything is when we worship Him with our whole heart. This becomes evident when we share the love of God with others through our words and actions.

One thing I’ve noticed after being with our Amish friends is that for them, God comes first, and then their family. It should be every Christian’s desire to please God before we please anyone else. Can you think of some things you’ve done to please God this week? Are there some things you know you ought to do that will please Him, too?

In my devotional book, A Celebration of the Simple Life, I talk about how I love spending time with our Amish friends, and how I enjoy watching them work together as a family unit, as well as with others in their community. Having just visited some of our Amish friends in Illinois, I’m reminded once again what draws me to the Amish and their simply way of life.

A poem I wrote some time ago says it this way: Maintaining a life of simplicity is what the Amish culture is about. We could learn a lot from the Amish, there’s really no doubt. Spending time with others, and helping when there’s a need; focusing on God and following Him with every word and deed. Acquiring things and getting ahead is the focus for many these days. But maintaining a life of simplicity can be accomplished in numerous ways.

What are some ways you can simplify your life today?

The world we live in seems to be obsessed with physical beauty, but that’s not the case with my Amish friends. The women and girls don’t wear makeup, jewelry, or fancy clothes. The men and boys dress plainly as well. Despite their plain dress, I have seen my Amish friend’s inner beauty, which doesn’t come from fancy clothes, makeup, or stylish hairdos.

Inner beauty isn’t something we can create for ourselves, and it can’t be purchased either. True inner beauty comes from God, because He is truly beautiful. It’s His gift to all who believe in and have accepted His Son, Jesus. The beauty of the Lord is a reflection of our Savior’s love.

Have you ever known someone whose face shined brightly with God’s inner beauty? You can see the joy of the Lord in their smile. You can hear God’s love in their voice. You know they have Jesus in their heart by their actions. Their inner beauty is the beauty of the Lord himself.

Here’s a verse of scripture that I’m reflecting on today:

“Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.” Psalm 90:17 (KJV)

Do you see your inner beauty when you look in the mirror? Do you see the beauty of our Lord in someone you know?