Simplicity

Western culture is characterized by complexity. Many juggle several jobs. Our families deal with a variety of interests and activities. The blending of families complicate our relationships. The acquisition of new material possessions force us to store or throw out yesterday's treasures. Global issues affect us locally. Technology is exploding. Time and space seem to be shrinking. Life, itself, is complex.

The spiritual discipline of simplicity challenges the hubbub. Jesus spoke up in opposition to the madness with these words: ""Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)

In his book "Wisdom of the Desert: Translations from the 'Verba Seniorum,'" Thomas Merton records that "Abbot Agatho frequently admonished his disciple, saying: Never acquire for yourself anything that you might hesitate to give to your brother if he asked you for it, for thus you would be found a transgressor of God's command. If anyone asks, give it to him, and if anyone wants to borrow from you, do not turn away from him."

This is one of the most divisive of the spiritual disciplines. In every family, some love to acquire and store things, while others prefer to get rid of them. I've seen this tension in many families. Finding a balance all can live with is a challenge.

Applied to time and activities as well as space and possessions, simplity brings many benefits. It can free us from the bondage of busyness. Most people I know complain of the pace of life and all the obligations they feel compelled to juggle. The fact is, some, if not most, of the obligations are the result of choices. If we had the will to do it, most of us could at least cut back on our activities.

Simplicity can also free us from the bondage of things. When necessity demands it, we can get by with remarkably few material possessions. Too many of us live in voluntary slavery to the things that we own. The more we accumulate, the more time we have to invest in using them, maintaining them and justifying our having them. Once again, if we have the will to divest ourselves of the "stuff" in our lives, we could do it.

Simplicity allows us to be much better stewards of the earth and our portion of its resources. When we use more than we need, we deprive others of their share. We also deplete raw materials and contribute to pollution.

Living a simple life with minimal physical possessions allows us to focus the use of our resources on the work of God. Most of the "stuff" we have is not necessary for us to do what God asks us to do. We get it because it amuses us, comforts us, pleasures us... in other words, it becomes all about us. Letting go of those superfluous things gives us time to focus on doing what God wants us to do with our lives.

As we live a simpler life, we'll find more time to enjoy what God has given us and, instead of being in bondage to it, we can be thankful for it. God will give us everything we need to do what He asks us to do. When we limit ourselves to that, we explore new levels of joy and contentment. A friend of mine who is a refugee and has next to nothing of this world's things nearly always replies "content" to questions about how he is doing... and he means that.

Choosing simplicity reminds us that we don't somehow “deserve” more, newer, better, regardless of what the commercials and advertisements try to communicate to us. Imagine being free from what seems to have become the obligation of responding to every message about "new and improved" products of every kind.

Finally, simplicity refocusses and heads us in the direction of learning that God is enough. Here are some words of the apostle Paul. Note particularly his use of the phrase "with a continual lust for more." It is so characteristic of people who have not learned that God is enough. "So I tell you" writes Paul "and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more." (Ephesians 4:17 -19 NIV)

To practice simplicity, plan your day with simplicity in mind. Schedule leisure time into your day, but identify time wasted on things that truly don’t matter. Guard your mind from clutter as well as your home. Junk ideas will prompt you to fill your life with junk things. Take an inventory of your resources, including your time, money, talent and energy. Note how these things are being invested. Look at your things. Identify the luxuries - things that are not necessary for basic sustenance of a healthy life. As you identify them, ask yourself:

In the future, think twice, buy once. The bigger the purchase, the longer you should spend deciding if you need it. Ask hard questions about the motives behind the desire for the things you want. Pay more attention to "needs" and less to "wants."

Ron Hughes
© June 2008