As Was his Custom: Simplicity
“A simple, humble life with peace and quiet is far better than an opulent lifestyle with nothing but quarrels and strife at home.”
Proverbs 17:1 TPT
A couple of years ago, my family of three moved into a tiny home (literally - 200 square feet). Let me be the first to tell you this was not my idea of a “dream house” when I was growing up and planning my future. It took lots of episodes of Tiny House Nation, Pinterest scrolling, and conversations with my husband to convince me that this lifestyle was (and is) worth pursuing. Needless to say, we have learned (and are still learning) how to do without a lot of “stuff” that we thought we previously needed.
In the culture that we live in, there is a constant expectation to always be on-the-go, to buy the newest model {insert item here}, live in the nicest house, have designer clothes, participate in the current trend, etc. Not only do we need to keep up appearances, but we also need to juggle all the things and do it perfectly — motherhood, ministry, career, marriage, faith, health, and ALL the activities that come along with those things. Social media has only increased those expectations for us.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of it. I’m tired of feeling inadequate, tired of feeling like I’m failing, tired of not “fitting in.” God didn’t create me to chase after all those things. He created me to chase after Him. Jesus clearly states in Matthew 6:33 to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and just a few verses before that He also tells us not to store up treasures here on earth.
Not only does Jesus tell us that we should live in simplicity, He also models it for us.
How does Jesus model simplicity?
He was born in a barn/cave/first floor of a village home. (Luke 2:7) - I always wondered, Did He ever forget to close the door? Did Mary ask Him if He was born in a barn and He replied “yes”?
He was a carpenter. (Mark 6:3)
His first miracle was at a wedding. (John 2:1-12)
He didn’t rush from one place to the next. (John 11:6)
His disciples were just good ol’ boys. (John 1:35-51, Luke 5:1-11, 27-32, 6:12-16)
He was homeless. (Matthew 8:20)
He never had more than He needed. (Luke 10:4-9, Proverbs 25:16)
He prioritized relationships. (Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 5:43-45, John 4:5-26)
He obeyed His Father’s will. (Luke 22:42)
My heart craves one-on-one conversations, long slow evenings, and homemade cookies. I hate feeling rushed through fast-food dinners. I can’t always avoid a full schedule, rushing from one thing to the next, but I know that is not a routine that I can sustain for very long. Over the last few years, I have begun to recognize the call to simplicity. Not only did we transition into a tiny house, but I also recently left my full-time job to stay home with my son to homeschool. For my family, this was a much-needed change for so many reasons and could only happen because God worked out the details. It required several years of prayer. I have been able to slow my mind down and focus on what matters most to me. I am more present with the people I love. This change has come with its own challenges and sacrifices, but God continually gives grace.
“The solution to an over busy life is not more time. It’s to slow down and simplify our lives around what really matters.”
John Mark Comer
Maybe you’re not like me. Maybe you thrive on constantly being on the move. And there’s nothing wrong with that at all, if that’s who God created you to be. The thing is none of that matters if He isn’t first. If you’re chasing and earning and gaining, but you’re not praising the One Who gave you the life you have, what does it benefit you? Living in simplicity requires us to slow down enough to know what our priorities are and live them out. Let’s stop chasing all the things the world says we should be and discover what simplicity means for us.
How can you live in simplicity?
Spend time with Jesus regularly.
Slow down so you can hear the Holy Spirit speak to you.
Discover your priorities. What really matters to you?
This might require change and sacrifice in your life.
Focus on building relationships. Quality over quantity. Be present with your family and friends.
Take time to enjoy hobbies that allow you to be creative and bring you joy.
Learn to be content with what you already have. Make a gratitude list to put it into perspective.
Say no sometimes. Even to good things. Clear some space on your calendar.
Obedience, obedience, obedience. Say YES!!! to what God calls you into.
Again, this may require sacrifice.
When we look at the life of Jesus, we can see intentionality all throughout. He was very careful to live His life in a way that reminds us to fully rely on God. He never really had much in the way of worldly possessions yet He always had enough. He was thoughtful about all that He said and all that He did. Simplicity really is just about making time in your life for what truly matters most. What brings your life meaning? How can you add value and live deliberately?
“Jesus had his disciples and the crowd gather around him. And he said to them: “If you truly want to follow me, you should at once completely disown your own life. And you must be willing to share my cross and experience it as your own, as you continually surrender to my ways. For if you let your life go for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, you will continually experience true life. But if you choose to keep your life for yourself, you will forfeit what you try to keep. For what use is it to gain all the wealth and power of this world, with everything it could offer you, at the cost of your own life? And what could be more valuable to you than your own soul? If you are ashamed of me and my words while living among sinful and faithless people, then I, the Son of Man, will also be ashamed of you when I make my appearance with my holy messengers in the glorious splendor of my Father!””
Mark 8:34-38 TPT