In our Celebrate Discipline column each month we are learning a new Spiritual Discipline, how to apply it and hopefully grow into the people God wants us to be.
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: habits that nurture spiritual growth; exercises unto godliness.
SIMPLICITY: freedom from complexity, pretense or guile; direct expression; absence of luxury.
"Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little." ~ Philippians 4:11-12 (The Message)
All the Spiritual Disciplines are important but I believe Simplicity is a linchpin to our spiritual growth. Our culture has us so busy, our homes and lives so cluttered with possessions and noise that we can barely think let alone hear God's still small voice.
Starting in 2006, because of several moves for my husband's work, we were forced to sell most of our possessions. At the time we owned a 3000 sq foot home that was full to the brim with "stuff." We needed to trim that down to the bare minimums required for survival as we moved back and fourth across America; the rest went into a 10' x 20' storage room. It was a challenge but well worth it.
After four years we came out of that experience with a decidedly simplified lifestyle. We learned valuable lessons that taught us how much we really can live without.
If you want to live life free, take your time, go slowly. Do few things, but do them well. Simple joys are holy. ~ Celtic Daily Prayer Book
Simplicity is more than eliminating possessions and adjusting lifestyle. It must begin with our heart attitude.
Thoughts Toward Simplicity:
- What am I clinging to?
- Am I buying things for their usefulness or for their status?
- How can I avoid media marketing that drives me to buy?
Simplicity is the breath of fresh air we desperately need to revive our weary bodies and souls. It begins by trusting God for our everything, in our heart, our mind and our spirit!
What step will you take today to create a simpler lifestyle?
Click here to watch Part One of Richard Foster and friends discussing the Spiritual Discipline of Simplicity. You can find Part Two here.
RESOURCES:
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun