Less can
truly be more, with less stress and a greater focus on the important and the
essential.
June’s Awakening, Day 12
Blissful
are the simple, for they shall have much peace.
—Thomas à Kempis
“Do
not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where moths and vermin 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
You don’t have to be Amish or the
member of a traditionalist Christian group to appreciate and practice the
spiritual discipline of simplicity. Less can be gain when you align your heart
and treasure with God.
Simplicity.
The spiritual discipline of simplicity is one that most of us might
outwardly reject, yet you do not need to be the “mountain man” nor live the
Amish lifestyle to put into practice many of the principles of simplicity. In fact, you might find them quite
appealing, practical, and freeing. Simplicity is an inward reality that results
in an outward lifestyle and both are essential to the discipline. It is, most
assuredly, getting back to the basics and essentials in life, “For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The objective is to wage war on,
and eliminate, everything which may serve to interfere with your primary
allegiance to God. Possessions are most notable in this regard, so the focus is
typically on the proper perspective of possessions and a total trust and
reliance upon God.
Here are the three essential
internal attitudes which must first be made concrete in the heart and mind
before the outward expression of simplicity can be made manifest. First—an
inherent understanding that everything we have we receive from God as a gift.
It comes not by our own hands, but only through God’s grace. Second—the faith
and trust that everything we have is in God’s care, and it can be as easily
removed as it is given. Third—the belief and mindset that everything we have
should be made available to others to share, loan, or give away if that need in
them arises. We worry and cling to possessions as if our life depended upon
them, but our Father knows what we need and will assuredly supply that need and
more (Matthew 6:25–34). Do you own your possessions or do they own you? Who is
the servant and who is the master? You must ask yourself these tough questions
and resolve to make life changes. Embracing the practice of simplicity can do
wonders to help alleviate stress, worry, and anxiety.
Tomorrow we will look at ten ways
that you can employ the practice of simplicity in your life.
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