“God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated.” – Ecclesiastes 7:29 (GNT)
This verse struck me deeply when I came across it. It lingers in my mind, resonating with something I have long felt but rarely articulated. Life—faith, our relationship with God, and even our sense of self—was never meant to be so complicated. Yet, somehow, we have entangled ourselves in layers of expectations, anxieties, distractions, and complexities that pull us further from the simplicity of being with God.
The ancient Celts knew something we have forgotten: simplicity is not a lack, but a gift. The early Celtic Christians cultivated a way of life that was stripped back to what truly mattered—prayer, nature, community, and an intimate relationship with the Divine. Their faith was not weighed down by systems of control or over-analysis but lived in the wild freedom of God’s presence. It was a life marked by rhythm rather than restlessness, by awareness rather than anxiety, and by deep trust rather than endless striving.
As modern seekers, caught in a world that spins ever faster, what can we learn from their wisdom? How can we return to the simplicity that God intended for us?
The Simplicity of Faith
Celtic Christianity has always been deeply rooted in the idea that God is near. He is not found only in grand theological debates or institutions but in the wind, the sea, the firelight, and the everyday tasks of life. Faith was not something to be dissected and overcomplicated—it was to be lived. The Celts found God in the ordinary, and this was their strength.
In our modern world, faith can become another thing to analyze, categorize, or debate. We question whether we are doing it ‘right.’ We measure ourselves against expectations. We fear not knowing enough, not praying enough, not believing enough. And yet Jesus’ words remind us: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
Children do not overthink love. They do not analyze whether they are ‘worthy’ of it or perform religious obligations to earn it. They simply receive. This is the simplicity we are called back to—a faith that does not demand complexity, but rests in the deep knowing that we are loved.
The Burden of Overcomplication
Modern life is full of pressures. We are constantly inundated with information, choices, and expectations. Social media tells us we are not enough. Productivity culture tells us we must always be achieving. Even in our spiritual lives, we are often told to strive harder, learn more, and do more. We have built a world in which peace feels elusive, because everything urges us toward more.
But the Celts understood that God’s rhythm is not one of endless striving. Their way of life was woven with pauses—prayers at sunrise and sunset, blessings over meals, walks in nature, songs of gratitude. They saw time not as something to be filled, but as something to flow with.
There is a stark contrast between this way of life and the mental health struggles so many face today. Anxiety, depression, and burnout are often exacerbated by the belief that we must do and be more than we are. What if healing is not found in adding more, but in stripping back? What if the peace we seek is waiting in the simple moments we overlook?
Embracing the Uncomplicated Life
If God made us plain and simple, how do we reclaim that simplicity?
1. Be Present to the Moment
Celtic Christianity teaches us to be deeply aware of God in the here and now. There is no need to wait for the perfect moment, the right conditions, or a better version of ourselves. God is already here.
Try this: the next time you drink a cup of tea, do nothing else. Let it be a moment of prayer, a simple act of being with God. Feel the warmth, savor the taste, and know that you do not need to be anything other than present.
2. Find God in Nature
The Celtic monks saw creation as God’s first book of revelation. The earth itself speaks of His presence. Step outside. Feel the wind on your skin. Watch the birds move with ease. Let nature remind you that life does not need to be as difficult as we make it.
3. Let Go of Perfectionism
We complicate our lives when we measure ourselves against unrealistic expectations—whether in faith, work, or personal growth. Simplicity invites us to embrace imperfection. God does not demand flawless performance; He desires honest presence.
4. Live with a Rhythmic Faith
The Celts prayed at dawn and dusk, before meals and during work. Their faith was woven into the fabric of their lives. We do not need long, complex prayers or theological debates to be close to God. A simple, whispered ‘thank you’ can hold as much power as a sermon.
5. Strip Back What is Unnecessary
What in your life is adding stress rather than peace? Is there a commitment, a habit, or a thought pattern that complicates rather than nourishes? Letting go is an act of faith. Trust that God’s way is simpler than we have made it.
The Courage to Be Simple
In a world that prizes complexity, choosing simplicity is an act of courage. To say, I do not need to do more to be loved. I do not need to understand everything to belong. I do not need to achieve to be worthy—this is the radical truth of the Gospel. Jesus did not call people into a system of intellectual mastery but into a way of being. He called fishermen, tax collectors, and outsiders. He spoke in parables so simple a child could understand. He invited people to sit, eat, and rest.
The saints of old, like the Celts before us, lived in this sacred simplicity. They walked their land, spoke their prayers, and trusted in the presence of God in all things. Their lives were not without hardship, but they did not manufacture extra burdens. They knew that God had already given them everything they needed—the breath in their lungs, the ground beneath their feet, and the light of His presence.
And so, I return to that verse: “God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated.” Perhaps today is the day to begin untangling the knots we have tied ourselves in. Perhaps it is time to step back into the simple, beautiful truth: that God is already here, and that is enough.
Ancient Whispers 
Leave a comment