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Simplicity

Writer's picture: Dr. Carol Preston Dr. Carol Preston



Simplicity is a word gaining favour today as our busy, complicated and fragmented lives take a toll on our physical, emotional and spiritual health. Researchers, the physical and mental health industry and even our friends can often see that what so many of us need is to simplify our lives, declutter our homes, our minds, our work life. The incessant demands on our time have us running from one meeting, or event, or project to another, leaving us frustrated, stretched and stressed, trapped by the ‘tyranny of the urgent.’ Environmentalists warn that we are endangering the planet with too much rubbish, too much ‘stuff’ that seems so necessary one moment only to be disgarded the next, but in fact, will be with us for many years to come. We must reuse, recycle, simpify. Decluttering and simplifying are now seen as tools for improving mental health and well-being, for dealing with stress,  prioritizing what is really important and promoting a greater sense of control over our environment and over our lives generally.

 

But simplicity is not a new concept when we look at the Scriptures and the example of Jesus. It is something the desert fathers would have called poverty, a choice to live without so much that distracted from life with God. An inner, spiritual choice that resulted in an outward style of living. The scriptures do not insist on poverty but they have always challenged so many of the values of contemporary life and warned again excess, the love of money, greed, worry over material things. They call us to “Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, (Matt 6:33-37), to be content with what we have, (1Tim 6:6), to be simple in speech, (Matt 5:37), to be wise with money, (1 Tim 6:10). There are so many challenges about priorities; Don’t lay up for yourself treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, (Matt 6:19). What does it profit you to gain the whole world and risk losing your life, your very self? (Mark 8:34-38, Matt 19:21).

 

The apostle Paul was able to say “I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13.) He was a man who had an inner peace and a deep love for and confidence in His heavenly Father. Surely something we would all seek!

 

So the focus of spiritual simplicity is to find contentment in godliness, to be satisfied with what we have, to be willing to share everything, cling to nothing, let nothing control us, knowing everything belongs to God and whatever our current circumstances God is always with us and He is sufficient for our every need.

 

The benefit of seeking this kind of simplicity is that we have minimum baggage, open hands, a willingness to let go, giving us space and time for God’s word and God’s grace. The challenge is that some things may need to be left behind. Sometimes the only way to sow new life, to let God deeply into our lives is to die to some things. (John 12:24-26).

When we are young we work hard for our ‘stuff’, our reputation, our achievements, our self -image, and yet as we get older we usually realise that nothing lasts forever, most things pass or get beyond their usefulness. So much that we looked forward to when we were young is just chaff, not nearly as satisfying as we’d hoped, and doesn’t bring us true happiness or peace.

 

We learn that all of life is a letting go, nothing really belongs to us. We die many times through disappointment, loss, ageing, deterioration. The deprivation and pain can be deep. The promise of resurrection and new life can seem very far away. But God does not want us to wait for eternity to know Him deeply, to seek Him first, to allow Him to bless and fill us with true contentment and peace. That’s available for us right now, if we will make space for Him.

 

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