by LESLIE SPEAS
Does your life feel overly complicated? Does it feel like you are pulled in a dozen different directions? Do you ever wish for a quieter, simpler time, like Little House on the Prairie? No cell phones, no checking email at night, no being a taxi service for the kids, less drama. Of course, lack of electricity might be a problem…and I’m pretty sure I would have to cook and sew. But a simple life sounds pretty good to me at this juncture. I am envisioning a log cabin in the mountains. But I would need to be fairly close to shopping and Starbucks – and with WIFI.
Jesus lived a really simple lifestyle. He traveled to teach and heal without much baggage. He ate and stayed at other people’s homes and encouraged his disciples to do the same (Mark 10:10). He was focused on one thing and one thing only – spreading the word of God.
Jesus says: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) The life that he speaks of is not about fortune, fame, or material possessions. It is a life that is rich in love (of God and other people) where we are doing God’s work. To do this, we have to cut through the clutter in our lives, ditch the unimportant things, and manage the complications.
Our world today is so full of distractions and shiny things that clamor for our attention. It’s really easy to get caught up in all of it which complicates our lives. Even in this environment, it is still possible to live a focused, simple life. To do this, we must let go of things that hinder our walk with God, freeing ourselves up to live a life of commitment to Him. This will also help to increase our contentment in our lives.
If your life feels complicated and out of control, make a choice to take it to its simplest form. Here are some tips to consider:
- Learn to live with what you need and within your means.
- Take a break from social media and technology.
- Spend time in nature.
- Don’t try to be more or less than God’s design for you.
- Spend time with people you enjoy and decrease or cut out time spent with toxic people.
- Love and spend quality time with your family.
- Identify your top five priority areas and start saying no to activities that don’t fit in.
- Own what you actually need and make it simple to care for.
- Keep an eternal focus.
Sounds easy peasy, right? Maybe not that easy but you can consider baby steps in this direction. I’m getting ready to go through my closet. I probably really don’t need 15 pairs of boots.
“…and make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11
So, what will you do to simplify your life?
