Living into Simplicity

ABUNDANT generosity

week 1

Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

~1 Timothy 6:6-10

LIVING INTO SIMPLICITY

Written by Rev. Jane Riecke

VERSE OF THE DAY

For we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it. ~

~I Timothy 6:7

For many years now, my husband and I have been trying to live more simply. Before we moved to Louisiana from Colorado, we gave away over 600 books and 100 DVDs. We made numerous trips to Goodwill, Arc, and Habitat for Humanity, yet we still managed to fill three U-Haul Trucks to carry what was left to our new home.

We have moved many times in our lives, eighteen to be exact. We know how to let go of things, or so we thought. Recently, I started going through some of the boxes we have left over from the last move. I thought, “I can’t believe we moved this stuff!” Apparently we are still learning to simplify our lives.

However, when we look at simplifying our lives as a task, simplicity will never happen. Simplicity is more than clearing out a closet or a drawer. It’s more than saying, “Does this (fill in the blank) still give me joy?” Simplicity is a spiritual discipline.

“Pure, holy simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the flesh.” -ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Living into simplicity requires practicing simplicity day by day by day. Simplicity is being happy with the things we need and not depending on the things we want. It is recognizing the truth of the phrase “You can’t take it with you.” Simplicity is being content whether we have nothing or everything because our contentment comes from our relationship with God.

PRAYER PRACTICE:

Dear God, grant me contentment today in what I have and who I am. Amen.

THINK ABOUT IT:

What changes can I make to simplify my life?

What might I let go of to come closer to God?