Simplicity
by Debbie Poer
How often have you made a statement to a friend expressing a desire to simplify your life? I know something similar has escaped my lips on numerous occasions, especially during times when my life is packed with multiple activities and commitments – like the just-ended Christmas season.
As I have contemplated this month’s topic of simplicity and tried to make sense of what it is, how I should apply it to my life, and why it is important, I have discovered a few things. Simplicity must begin inside me before it can be lived out. Simplicity is easy to talk about, but difficult to enact. Simplicity is freedom.
If we begin with Jesus’s words to the Pharisees in Matthew 22:37 and 39, we learn He began with words Moses had spoken years before to the Israelites. Jesus told them the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself. Learning to truly love God first will teach us that he does supply all our needs, we don’t have to worry about tomorrow, and material things are not what provide true happiness. Simple ways to learn to have deeper love and understanding of God come through Bible study and prayer. That’s about as simple as one can get. Simple, but complex.
As we begin to unfold our understanding of simplicity and as our study and prayer life grow, they begin to change our inner being and we want to live a simpler lifestyle. Material belongings hold a looser grip on us and relationships become more important. In his book Celebration of Discipline, Richard J. Foster states, “Simplicity sets us free to receive the provision of God as a gift that is not ours to keep and can be freely shared with others.” We learn to love our neighbor for the first time or in a different way.
You might ask what other types of freedom I have discovered as I’ve explored simplicity. I’ve learned the latest gadget is not a must (Proverbs 23:4-5). I’ve learned I don’t have to wear the latest fashion trends (Matthew 6:25). I’ve learned material things don't define who I am (Mark 12:41-44). I’ve learned by letting go of things I have more time and resources to invest in people. I’ve learned less really is more.
Am I successfully living all that I have learned? No, but I do have a goal in front of me and an idea of what brings joy and contentment to life. My commitment to God and myself is to keep implementing what I'm learning.
Here are a few challenges I would leave with you – challenges to encourage you to look within yourself, to begin a life of greater simplicity so that you do have a sense of freedom.
Commit to daily study of God’s Word – what does it say about simplicity?
Live in the moment, being grateful for the mundane. Begin a gratitude journal.
Clean out that desk, cabinet, closet of items you haven’t used since, well, when was it last used?
Think about purchases you make. Honestly, is the item a need or a want?
Is it time to downsize or minimize?
Check out and read Richard J. Foster’s book, Freedom of Simplicity. It’s a recommended read!
Which will you choose to act on today to begin living a life of simplicity?
