Simplicity. Margin. Enough.
Just thinking about these gets my desire going.
When I dream about simplicity, my mind goes to a scene in the literary classic, Of Mice in Men.
“Lennie said softly, ‘We could live offa the fatta the lan'.’ ‘Sure,’ said George. ‘All kin's a vegetables in the garden, and if we want a little whisky we can sell a few eggs or something, or some milk. We’d jus’ live there. We’d belong there.’”
I can see it now. I’d have a small cabin with some chickens, maybe a few cattle. And a pig, but only one that doesn't smell. There’d be a big French potager garden that yields its fruit in season without compromising on aesthetic standards. And a Victorian glass house—just a small one—where I can grow all kinds of tropical fruits would be the icing on the cake. And of course, a pumpkin patch would allow.....
It feels like a simple little dream, but you can see the problem. My desires keep going and going until my dream of a simple life becomes an unmanageable future. There’s always one more thing.
Alternatively, I am also tempted to think of simplicity as ridding myself of possessions. Purchasing a new monochrome wardrobe. Selling my house for a smaller, more modern house with concrete and exposed wood. Warm snuggly blankets on a giant leather couch courtesy of Restoration Hardware. But that can miss simplicity as well.
When John D. Rockefeller was asked how much money was enough to make him happy, he’d reply that it was always “just a little bit more”. That is true of me most days, too. And that urge is inside all of us. It might not be money or possessions. It could be compliments, invitations to important events, recognition for your contributions, another vacation, one more drink, one more Super Bowl for the Chiefs. More information, more podcasts, more books read. Another side hustle.
None of these things are bad. Working a small farm is a beautiful way to steward and care for God’s creation. A sleek, modern home with a leather couch from Restoration Hardware is a great opportunity to host and bless those who have nothing tangible to offer you in return.
But we have a spiritual enemy who wants nothing more than to exploit these good things and distract us from a life with God. Don’t be deceived: simplicity is not some trite idea that tends to surface around Advent. It’s a heavyweight discipline that can change your life.
A key to simplicity is gratitude—being aware that all I have is not my own. I came with nothing and will leave with nothing. God has given all to me. God is providing for me. God gives me life and strength.
In his book, Living Life Backwards, author David Gibson speaks to how Ecclesiastes uses death to teach us about life.
“Death can radically enable us to enjoy life. By relativizing all that we do in our days under the sun, death can change us from people who want to control life for gain into people who find deep joy in receiving life as a gift. This is the main message of Ecclesiastes in a nutshell: life in God’s world is gift, not gain.”
How would seeing everything in your life as a gift to be enjoyed from your heavenly Father change your heart? Your outlook on life? Your desires?
Author Arthur Brooks talks about how gratitude pushes back against the limbic auto response in our brains. (The limbic system, in part, is where emotional responsiveness comes from.) We are wired for self-preservation. And you can make this argument from either an evolutionary perspective or from a Christian view of the Fall.
While self-preservation runs counter to depending on God, thoughtful, repetitive gratitude trains us to see God’s hand in our lives. It trains us to be content. (A rare virtue in our culture.) It trains us to see life as gift, not gain.
As we live out our numbered days under the sun, we remember we are pilgrims. The current state of the world is not final. Christ will come back in brilliance and power to make all things new. Living simple, grateful lives helps us inhabit this story, living out God’s calling for our lives.
Let’s get practical. Christmastide is a great time of year to try this out. Simplicity and preference seeking run rampant, often unnoticed during this time. Use the influx of new as a cue to simplify and be grateful for what you already have, trusting God as your provider.
To start, you may find it helpful to create a habit of praying that God would show you areas in your life where practicing simplicity and gratitude could help you experience the abundance of his love for you. Seek perspective from people close to you—they can often see areas of your life you’re not able to. Then, find one area to practice simplicity and gratitude that pushes up against your sinful desires for more.
A few helpful ideas:
- Give the excess you have.
Simplify your closet. If you have nice clothes you don’t wear often, specifically cold-weather clothing, donate them to a local ministry like City of Refuge. - Go on gratitude walks (regardless of the weather!).
Walk around your neighborhood or out in nature. Experience the weather for what it is in that moment. Rain, sleet, snow, wind. Use what is around you to express gratitude to God, the creator and sustainer of the seasons. - Extend the Christmas season.
Christmas doesn’t have to end after you open the presents under the tree. Insert reverence and reflection into the coming weeks by embracing ancient traditions. The historical church followed Advent with Christmastide, starting on December 25 and ending with Epiphany on January 6. This is a time to rest and enjoy the good gifts God offers. So lean into the extra celebration and host a special gathering with friends and loved ones to observe Epiphany. - Clean up your inbox.
Unsubscribe from emails and texts that bombard you with advertisements and feed you products. Replace them with emails that bring scripture into your life and help you deepen your relationship with Jesus.- The Ten Minute Bible Talks newsletter offers a deep dive into the Bible passages covered on the TMBT podcast each week, providing insights to help you get more out of God’s word.
- The Not Just Sunday newsletter provides practical ideas to help you experience God more in your daily life, not just at church on Sundays.
- The With You in the Weeds newsletter gives you a summary of each week's podcast with links to listen, as well as recommended resources you can explore on your own.
- Stay off social media.
Refrain from posting anything about these practices on social media. Let it be between you, your loved ones, and God.
And may the peace of God rule in your heart.
