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Minimalism from a Biblical Point of View —

Biblical Minimalism is "a complete, whole-person release of anything unlike Jesus, a letting go of everything that hinders us from following Him wholeheartedly and single-mindedly, and a relinquishing of all that brings us under bondage to this earthly, very temporary life." Cheryl E. Smith

Thursday, July 11, 2019

How to Stop Over Complicating Simplicity

"So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content."
I Timothy 6:8 (NLT)


It is no secret that I long for the old days.  I crave simplicity and yearn for the way life was before electronics burst on the scene and so intrusively invaded our lives.  I miss pay phones, quiet rooms with no TVs or background noise, and watching children use their imaginations while playing with real toys.  As crazy as it sounds, I love to sit in a dark room and listen intently to the sounds of silence.  There is nothing I enjoy more than the things that do not cost anything at all.  Take a walk with me, share your heart, and listen patiently and with genuine interest while I pour out mine, and I’m blissfully content.  I often feel that I was born over a century too late, and I am forever searching for a bridge to propel me back in time to that place where I feel I most belong.

Unfortunately, I have yet to discover a time machine, and sadly, there aren’t many things I can change about this chaotic, fast-moving age of “enlightenment,” but I have discovered that I don’t have to alter the world around me, I just need to change my world.  No one can force me to live in a way that makes me uncomfortable in my own skin, nor can anyone else put forth the effort required for me to swim upstream against the current to live in a way that is counter-cultural.  If I am going to live a simple, minimal life, I am the only person who can make it happen.  Society will not conform to my ideals, and since I will never find contentment trying to squeeze myself into its mold, we will have to part ways and agree to disagree. 

Perhaps you find yourself yearning for the old days and would like to join me on my journey?
 
Here’s how:

1.     Identify how you want to live.  What is it that you long for most?  What about your ancestors’ way of life calls to you the loudest?  Is it the silence?  The close bonds and family values?  Their deeply rooted faith in God?  The joy they found in doing a hard day’s work?  The way they had time to help others?  The lack of clutter in their homes?  The fact that they only owned what was meaningful and what they needed and/or used?  Their small houses?  The way they grew their own food? 

2.     Figure out what is distracting you.  What in your atmosphere prevents you from living that kind of life?  For years, my husband worked in the banking industry in very high-stress positions that robbed him of time with our family.  Our indebtedness forced him to earn a certain salary and kept him bound to a job he detested.  We view the outsourcing of his job last year as a merciful blessing that freed him to be a more hands-on father and to participate in finishing our 13-year  homeschool journey with our son.  Now that he has accomplished that long-term dream, he is looking forward to getting back into the work force, but this time, it will be on far different terms.  All glory to God, He has enabled us to make the drastic changes required to eliminate all debt, and by my husband's choice, he is planning to find a job that will be less brain-taxing, more physically active, and with little to zero stress.  What society deems “menial” has become something very attractive and desirable to him.  The pay will be far less, but it’s okay.  Thankfully, we don’t need what we used to need to survive, peace is more important to us than money, and prestige is not something we seek to attain.

3.     Do what you have to do to make it happen.  If you long to be more present and engaged, break up with social media.  Start pouring your heart, time, and energy into the ones who mean most to you and socialize with those with whom you can talk face-to-face.  Leave your phone out of sight and only use it when absolutely necessary.  Refuse to be drawn in to keeping up with everyone else’s online life and be more intentional about your own.  Sell what you have to pay what you owe, so you can work less.  Change jobs to reduce stress.  Gracefully bow out of toxic, unhealthy relationships.  Reduce overwhelm by learning to say no.  Weigh what you long for against what is preventing you from having it.  If simply is the way you want to live, you will find a way to muster the courage to make every necessary change.  It is just plain worth it.           

4.     Prepare yourself for criticism.  Not everyone is on board with wanting to live a life of simplicity, and you may or may not garner applause and support along the way.  This is where you have to decide whether or not you will be true to your self and the values that are important to you, or if you will live bound to the opinions, expectations, and approval of others.  A few years ago, my family and I made decisions that seemed far-fetched and radical.  We sold our home, released most of our physical possessions, moved into a small rental that includes yard maintenance, and resigned from ministerial obligations that were more than we could handle.  It took steely determination and a strong resolve to stay the course, but as we look back on our journey from a place of deep contentment, we realize it was the right thing to do and worth every mile.  Like Christian in John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress,” sometimes you just have to put your fingers in your ears and run for your life.

Far too often, we overcomplicate simplicity and completely defeat our own purpose and desire to slow down and live a minimal life.  Minimalism is the polar opposite of complexity.  The very basic, but remedial truth is that the power to change lies within the wellspring of our own choices.  Through His help and strength, we can follow Jesus from a life of abundance to that more abundant life He came to enable us to live.  "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  John 10:10

18 comments:

  1. Thank you dear friend for this thought provoking post.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, sweet friend. I hope you are doing well!

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  2. Your post totally resonated with me, Cheryl. I have given up trying to stop the relentless march of progress and have shrunk my world to what I can change in MY life, rather in the wider society. I loved how you focused on what we could do to take responsibility for our own home and family and make sure they are congruent with our values. Thank you so much for sharing!

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    1. Thank you so much for your visit and kind words! It was so wonderful to meet you and to receive your encouragement. I pray that God will abundantly bless you on your journey to a simpler life!

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  3. Wonderful post Cheryl. And you are so right! There are those that will criticize you for things you do that is better for your life regardless of what that is. I have learned this the hard way beginning with public, private and home school scenario. Two of my grandchildren have been home schooled since day one. One of my grandchildren goes to public school. One goes to a Christian school. Oh have I took some hits as a grandmother. My thing is...do what is best for your family and quit worrying about what other families are doing. Or as my husband would say...use your time wisely by tending to your own household. LOL! I gotta chuckle Cheryl at sitting in silence. Because my man aggravates me because when I get up in the mornings I do not like a tv on. I like sitting in the dark in my favorite chair and I use a short amount of time to wake up with my coffee of course, think about life and about my day that has started. I use that time to pray. Everything is quiet and that is how I hear the best! Then the light does come on to do a devotional to begin my day. That is my routine and I like it just fine. A dear friend of mine is the opposite. Up she comes, TV comes on with the news for the day, and a debby cake and coffee await her. She likes everything bright and noisy. I couldn't stand all that. But here's the thing....it works for her so it shouldn't bother me at all. Girl...I have no clue where I am going with all this except to say, everyone has to do what works best for them and one thing is for sure...simplicity in life never hurt any of us. Matter of fact what I have simplified in my life which a lot of times just doesn't seem to be enough.....has really gave me MORE LIFE...because I have found myself doing less of those things that wash off with the rain and more of those things that count for life called Memories. Anyway, thanks for letting vent, chat, or just act crazy! LOL! Hugs and blessings to you dear Cheryl. Cindy

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    1. It is amazing how other people feel that they know what is best for you and your individual situation. Aren't you thankful we don't have to answer to anyone other than our kind, loving Lord? Other people's opinions don't amount to a hill of beans, as my dear Mom used to say. She never cared what other people thought or said and used to tell me to just let it roll off like water off a duck's back. Such wisdom! That is so neat that you love to sit in the quiet, too. I crave that time with Jesus, and I have learned we just have to do whatever we need to do to make it happen because it is the most important part of the day, hands down. So, so thankful for you and your input and comments, sweet friend. God bless you with a wonderful day!!

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  4. Cheryl, hi! I so agree on keeping things simple, ratcheting down the complications, focusing on what's true and right. Cultivating a more minimalist outlook has brought me more peace and less anxiety. I'm so grateful ...

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    1. I'm so grateful for the peace God has brought to my family and me, too, by teaching us to let go of the things of this world. May He continue to bless you, Linda!

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  5. Cheryl, I am a work in progress in trying to keep things simple. I am slowly purging and giving things that I do not need to keep, hopefully to someone who can really use it. Thanks for your posts my friend, they are always so timely!

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet visit and kind words, Pam! It is so freeing to let the things go that we don't need, isn't it? May God bless you, my friend!

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  6. Hi Sweet Friend! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post!!! Your insights on how to live the simpler life that we all crave. (I'm with you. I crave simpler times.) Your quote is perfect!! It is up to us to make the choices that will create simplicity in our own homes.

    Thanks so much for sharing this! Sending you much love and gratitude.

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    1. Amen, and amen, sweet sister! So very thankful for you and your encouragement on this journey! Sending much love and gratitude back to you!

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  7. As I started reading your post, I visualized myself in an episode of "Little House in the Prairie". I tell you, I watch the show everyday and it is because I find it so comforting...I just love the simplicity of their lifestyle and the way they all cared for each other. I would love to go back to my childhood home and savor all of those wonderful memories if I could. And I'm with you on the silence thing too. My hubby like to watch a lot of TV when he is home and sometimes I literally have to leave the room to get away from the noise...especially loud sports commentators. Oh yes, I have been looking for a time machine for quite a while now...I truly miss the days of growing up with my big family and just "being". Thank you for this well written post, my friend. Maybe if we come across that time machine, you and I could make a trip back to New Carlisle {{smile}}.

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    1. Oh, wow, I know what you mean! I can just see myself in that day and time, and I think I was born many years too late! I find so much comfort in that show, too. Oh, it just speaks to me! I long for those simpler times and am doing all I can to live that way in a consumerism-obsessed, chaotic, wild world. I know what you mean about needing to get away from noise...whew, I just can't stand it, and how can we ever hear the voice of God if we don't remove the noise that competes with Him? YES, sweet friend, maybe if we can find that time machine, we can head back to New Carlisle together and relive those precious days of old! Sending love and hugs to you tonight and hope you are feeling better! Praying for you@

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  8. Thank you for these words. They have made a huge impact on my day. 🙏

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    1. Your sweet words are such a blessing to me. I cannot thank you enough for your encouragement and support! Many blessings to you!

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