Hydrogen.

The first element of the Periodic Table.

Which means it must be pretty fancy and complicated stuff, right?

Wrong.

Hydrogen isn’t first because it is complicated.

Hydrogen is first because it is the simplest.

Hydrogen has the simplest formula of all the elements. Each atom of hydrogen contains only one proton and one electron. This simple formula also makes Hydrogen the lightest element.

But just because Hydrogen is simple and light, doesn’t mean it’s not impressive. It’s actually the most common and abundant element in the whole universe.

AND

It’s also powerful.

Hydrogen is extremely flammable (meaning it burns really well).

The Sun contains a massive amount of Hydrogen — millions and millions of tons of it — and is constantly burning because of it. It’s this burning that produces the heat and light that we need and depend on here on Earth.

Cool, huh?

So just because something is simple, doesn’t mean it can’t be powerful.

Jesus followed this rule a lot. When asked what the most important commandment was, he provided a simple answer.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind … Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:37,39

Two simple commands. Pretty powerful words.

Love God. Love people. That’s it.

Now simple doesn’t always mean easy. These can be hard truths to follow.

But when we do?

Well then, we’ll all look a bit more like Jesus. And we’ll shine bright like the Son.