Complicating the Compost

 

The other day a friend and I were building a composting barrel. We had finished the stand/frame, drilled the hole for the pole and cut out the door, securing it with hinges and a latch. We installed the flanges on the inside to help mix the contents and drilled several small holes to help with the air flow…after all, it takes air to make dirt, ya know!

When it was all said and done, we were quite happy with our accomplishment, except for one thing. Where we chose to put the door did not seem to be the place where the barrel liked to naturally rest. It would always rotate, and the door would be at the bottom, facing the ground. Well, as you can imagine, that was not conducive to adding contents to the barrel. So, after some conversation, we decided it would be prudent to find a way to stop the barrel from spinning when we did not want it to spin.

We looked around and came up with a myriad of possible solutions, involving everything from hangers and chains to hooks and strings. As we tried each idea, we were faced with the realization that the set-up would not work. Some ideas probably failed due to the execution, while others failed because of the positioning of the barrel in relation to the frame. Then there were the ones that were just silly attempts, born out of frustration, that added a little levity to the situation at hand.

We stood there, admittedly perplexed, until it finally dawned on us that we were complicating the matter by overthinking the solution. We didn’t need some elaborate invention or setup to solve the issue, we just needed something simple. A few moments after that realization, armed with a drill, spade bit and a large bolt, we had successfully executed our “stopper” solution, and the compost barrel was complete.

In the days since its completion, I’ve realized that the experience of making that compost barrel was a lot like experiencing life. Some things are easy and go together without issue, while other things require extra thought when seeking a solution. Much like in the barrel experience, we can often overthink and therefore complicate life with our thoughts and our need to figure things out.

“Could it really be that simple?” Near the end of the movie National Treasure, the main character pulls a carved pipe from his pocket, a pipe he found near the beginning of the movie. You see, he and his treasure seeking friends are trapped in a sticky situation, a situation that seems hopeless. They’ve thought it through. They’ve gone through several escape options, but no solution seems plausible. Then all of a sudden, it dawns on the main character that he’s been carrying the solution with him. As he pulls the pipe from his pocket, he says, “could it really be that simple?” Sure enough, it was. (I’ll stop there so I don’t spoil the ending.)

We all know that life isn’t easy, but sometymes the lack of ease is caused by our own, well-honed, skill of overthinking and our lack of patience. The idea that we have to figure out a solution, paired with the mentality of “nothing is ever easy”, can make us spin around in circles, complicating everything.  The truth of the matter is, The Answer to everything really is quite simple.

In John 16, Jesus is telling His disciples about what is to come. At the end of the chapter, He tells them why He told them. “In the world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” Could it really be that simple? Yes, but it’s not only a possibility, it’s a reality. Jesus knew life was going to be like a compost barrel. He knew it was going to hold some unpleasant things, but He promised that He had already taken care of making those things into something much better. Of course, He also knew of the struggles we would have as we assemble our compost barrels. He knew we would complicate the process with our worries, fears, insecurities, anxiety and a plethora of other human tendencies; just like my friend and I did when we tried to stop the barrel from spinning.

So, if life seems composting … err … ummm … complicated and solutions to your problems seem nonexistent, remember that Jesus is The Solution (The Way, The Truth, The Life) to stop our lives from spinning out of control. Don’t overthink it. Don’t complicate it. Instead, trust that The One Who made you knows you. In all your ways acknowledge Him and HE will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:6) You don't have to figure it all out. You don't have to wonder or worry. I promise, He knows what’s going on in your life and He knows what you need. All you have to do is let Him have control of the barrel.