YEARNING FOR A SIMPLER LIFE

  A few years ago, I posted a few paragraphs on an online forum with the above title, that described my desire to simplify my lifestyle.  Within a few days, it received dozens of replies from others with the same yearning.  

On July 13, The USA Today published a column entitled, “For Many, a Simpler Life is Better.”  A few excerpts:

“Shrinking paychecks & rising environmental concerns are prompting Americans to pare back their lifestyles… A third, 32% say they have been spending less & intend to make that their ‘new normal’ pattern; 27% say they are saving more and plan to continue, according to a Gallup Poll in April… Nearly half of consumers, 47%, say they already have what they need, up from 34% in Nov., 2006, according to the 2009 MetLife Study of the American Dream. 

“‘People are feeling forced & inspired to get back to what is core for them,’ says Julie Morgenstern, author of Shed Your Stuff, Change Your Life.  She says they’re valuing objects less & experiences & people more… “Eric Dykstra, pastor of Crossing Church in Elk River, MN, read Morgenstern’s book, then ran across a blog by Dave Bruno.  Bruno launched a ‘100 Thing Challenge’ in Nov. & says he pared his possessions to fewer than that… Dykstra began encouraging members to reduce their personal possessions to 100 items.  They took on the challenge…” 

In Matthew 8:19-22, Jesus responds to two men who express interest in following Him.  The first is a scribe who seems sincere.  He calls Jesus “teacher” & expresses his willingness to follow Jesus “wherever” He goes. 

But Jesus doesn’t say, Sure, I’d be glad to have you, or, No, you’re not the kind of guy I’m looking for.  Instead of answering the man, Jesus makes a comment about his own lifestyle: “Foxes have holes, & birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 

Jesus says that the nature of his mission at this point keeps him on the move.  Doing ministry is more important to Him than having a permanent home.  If this man was serious about going “wherever” Jesus went, then he’d better count the cost, because it would not be a comfortable decision.  Jesus is saying there are more important things than homes or possessions.  For Jesus, having a place to lay his head each night took a back seat to doing His Father’s will. 

In the next encounter, another disciple comes to Jesus, wanting to follow Him, but says, ”Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”  Jesus’ responds, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”    According to Jesus, discipleship does NOT come second to anything.  Commitment to Jesus is everything or nothing.  Following Jesus is more important than even family ties.  

One author says, here in this Scripture is the answer to our materialism.  Here is the freedom from the enslavement that says we must always have more, more, more.  Here is how to live a simpler, happier life.  Jesus is not saying there’s something sacred or superior about being poor.  God wants us to enjoy his creation and take delight in the good things He brings our way, but He wants us to keep the first things first, and everything else will fall into line. 

Here are a few ways to simplify our lives, mostly from Richard Faster:

-Buy things for their usefulness, not for their novelty or prestige.

-Use things until they wear out, instead of being a slave to trends or fashion.

-Don’t be pulled in by gadgets.  See them as tools to help with certain tasks.

-Learn to enjoy things without owning them – use the library and take pleasure in nature.

-Give some things away.

-Consider reducing your exposure to news media.

Remember, the more things we buy – looking for freedom or ways to enhance our lives – the more we become imprisoned by the need for more & more.  Follow the example of Jesus who refused to let material concerns control Him.  Put living for Jesus & following Him at the top of your list, and everything else will fall into place.

 In His service, 

Pastor Randy