Visitors to Colorado love to stop at the historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park.
Designers restored and modernized this majestic treasure, including remarkable accessibility, while maintaining its unique charm. In one spot a small patio sits at the bottom of a steep slope with stunning views of surrounding landscapes. At the top of the slope, neatly hidden from sight, is a modern parking lot. The challenge: how to allow visitors to change levels without destroying the beauty of this secluded oasis.
A simple set of steps would solve the problem for most folks, but they’d be an intrusion on the natural environment and wouldn’t allow easy access for all. Instead, architects created a curving, gently-pitched path that winds down the hill. Benches, trees, and strategically-placed colorful plants guide visitors to the bottom along a series of small pools connected by bubbling waterfalls. The solution is simple and elegant and actually enhances the space.
It’s the perfect answer to a difficult problem. Someone worked hard to create this unobtrusive, peaceful complexity that almost disappears into the background.
Simple—but not simplistic. Complex—but not complicated.
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My friend Dick Foth pointed out this weekend that Jesus had a tendency to make statements that challenged people to think in new ways. Then he said something interesting.
“Jesus didn’t say a lot of different things. He said the same things in a lot of different ways.”
A simple message that transforms hearts through a lifetime of relationship.
Simple—but not simplistic. Complex—but not complicated.
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Thinking about FREEDOM TOUR 2017, we have lots of ideas. We’d like the fifth anniversary to be special.
Dick’s message reminded me of the patio behind the Stanley Hotel. It’s important, as you add elements, to not destroy the existing beauty.
Anyone can make things more complicated. Greatness involves adding complexity while maintaining simplicity.
I hope we can do that together. I hope we’ll stick to our simple core values but never be afraid to confront new challenges.
Thanks for being part of this amazing circle.
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I invite you to consider areas of your life that perhaps you’ve made unnecessarily complicated. Maybe you’ve added some rules, religion, self-criticism, guilt. Whatever it is, I invite you to hear Jesus’ simple words.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:18-30 Msg)
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Live freely and lightly.
Simple.