Simple:
1. easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.
2. not elaborate or artificial; plain
3. not ornate or luxurious; unadorned
4. unaffected; unassuming; modest
5. not complicated: a simple design
How would you define simple? When you think of the word, what comes to mind? For me, I would define simple as the last definition: not complicated. How many things in life are complicated, only because we make them complicated? How many things are complicated, elaborate, and hard because of the choices we make daily? Why can’t life just be:
s.i.m.p.l.e
There has been a common theme in many of my posts lately: simplifying and organizing. Why? God has really been convicting me of these two actions for the past couple of years, but even more so after we returned from our mission trip to the Dominican Republic a year and a half ago. Going to a 3rd world country begs the question while there…why do I have so much when they can live with so little? If the Dominicans can live simply with what they have, why can’t we? Really, though. Why can’t we? What would life look like if we had
Fewer choices.
Fewer possessions.
Fewer.
Scripture points us to live lives that are decluttered, simplified, and filled with contentment.
Matthew 6:19-21 says: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 says: But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Hebrews 13:5 says: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you
So where are you? What are you pursuing – does it have eternal value? What you are pursuing-is it drawing you closer TO God or away FROM Him? Do you feel completely overwhelmed by the clutter in your life?
For the next I don’t know how many weeks, each day (hopefully) I want to give you so tips on how to simplify your life. I am hoping to take it room by room – I realized many tricks or thoughts as we were busy cleaning out our own house. So much of these posts will be from lessons learned from our own mistakes and things we wished we knew. It’s not just going to consist of material possessions, but also what lies deep inside your heart. When we had to move, I realized that a lot of these principles that I had learned over the past few years, came into play (and continue to) as we too, continue to learn what it looks like to live a simple life.
Join me on the journey! What I would love most is to have YOU comment about what you do to live a simple life. How are you being challenged? What do you need to change? In this all, I don’t want to just be the only one talking about it – I would love for you to give your thoughts. I don’t want this to be a one-way conversation. So feel free to comment on facebook, below, or email me! I have room to grow, so don’t be afraid to speak up! I still plan on talking about all the other “stuff” going on in our life, but I just felt compelled to start this “simple” journey.
Hope you are challenged as much as I am!
I've been challenged so much lately to live more simply. All of our "stuff" gets in the way of what really matters. I am so guilty of letting myself get carried away with things that don't really matter. So for the month of October we decided to simplify and re-focus on God. We did 30 little things, some tasks, such as cleaning out our closets or organizing the medicine cabinet and others were things to help us focus on God, such as reading a Proverb a day together or getting up early to do devotions. It has definitely made an impact and I hope we can see it through even beyond this month!