Spent some time this morning talking with one of our interns about the spiritual discipline of simplicity. To me, simplifying life is to center yourself on Jesus command to seek first the Kingdom of God. When we do, everything else finds its place in proper order.
Simplicity is a discipline I've often misunderstood, probably because I confused it with asceticism. Asceticism effectively renounces all possessions, which is an extreme position that makes it difficult to share life with real people. Simplicity on the other hand puts possessions in their proper perspective.
Richard Foster's thoughts on simplicity in The Celebration of Discipline really inspire me. He offers ten principles to help Jesus-followers grow in this spiritual discipline.
1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status. (Do you really need that 4th pair of sneakers)?
2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. (This one might put Starbucks out of business).
3. Develop a habit of giving things away. (Combine simplicity with generosity).
4. Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetery. (A fancy way of saying, "don't worship technology).
5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them. (Why not visit the library more)?
6. Develop a deeper appreciation for creation. (Walk, run, slow down, and spend less money).
7. Look with healthy skepticism at all "buy now, play later" schemes. (Debt works against the true enjoyment of life).
8. Obey Jesus' instructions about plain, honest speech. (Matthew 5.37).
9. Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others. (The most difficult one for me to apply).
10. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the Kingdom of God. (Isn't shun a fun word?)
How do you practice simplicity?
That's so good. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: mandie segura | July 20, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Whoa! This is timely for me. Really working on "living on less so we can give more" as Pastor Chilly says. My wife and I are reassessing EVERYTHING we "value" right now.
Posted by: Chris | July 20, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Question what would you say is something that breeds the oppression of others. And yes, shun is definitly a fun word.
Posted by: Sarah | July 20, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Sarah--an example might be buying clothes that were made in a factory overseas that practices child labor. Like I said, I find this one most challenging because of a few reasons. One--I don't always know the background behind something. And two--I'm thinking that to really embrace this would drastically alter life. Doesn't mean we shouldn't try. It's just tougher than it seems.
Posted by: Brad | July 21, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Ahhh...that makes sense. Thanks.
Posted by: Sarah | July 22, 2009 at 12:21 PM