A simpler approach perhaps might be more innovative

Recently I stopped by a fast-food restaurant to have something to eat. I sorted through the menu trying to decipher the difference between artisan sandwich and a regular sandwich and if I wanted a value meal or regular meal. (Which, for the sake of consistency, should be called an unvalued meal, but who wants to order a meal with no value?)

After wading through the maze of the menu, I finally ordered. Then I was very politely given the option of having my receipt handed to me, texted to me or emailed to me.

I chose paper.

I took my archaic piece of paper and my cup -- which had multiple choices of sizes -- to the fountain drink dispenser to be greeted by a Star Trek-inspired machine that promised me thousands of drink options. It didn't matter that I only wanted one; I could choose from thousands.

I think next time I'm going to pack a sandwich.

Now, please do not take me as the old man screaming, "Hey, kids, get off my lawn," while being dragged into the future. Usually I am one of the first to embrace new technology and am constantly amazed at what brilliant and innovative people develop. My thesis is simply this: A simpler way may actually be more innovative.

In Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, Solomon, after experiencing the complex vanity of more, reflects on the joys of the simple. He writes, "There is nothing better for a person that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him, who can eat or who can have enjoyment?"

We have this notion that our level of happiness increases exponentially with the greater complexity in which we live. Yet that does not seem to be the case.

What Solomon discovered from experiencing everything the world had to offer was that the more experiences, education and wealth he accumulated, his happiness did not increase, but rather it decreased.

God has gifted humanity with the ability to create joy, to receive the health and satisfaction of a good meal and, perhaps, even share that with friends. If God uses the simple things of life that are available to all to show his great blessings, imagine what could happen if we come to him with our complex problems.

Solomon figured it out. Happiness doesn't come from the more I create, but from the simple that God freely gives.