Simplicity...
- is a grace and a discipline.
- is easy and difficult.
- has inward and outward dimensions.
- recognizes the goodness and limitations of material things.
Simplicity is an inner reality that can be seen in an outward lifestyle. We must have both; to neglect either end of this tension is disastrous.
The material world is good, but it is a limited good- limited in the sense that we cannot make a life out of it. To deny the goodness of the created order is to be an ascetic. To deny the limitation of the created order is to be a materialist.
Enslavement to the opinions of others is the source of a great deal of duplicity in modern society. How often we discover our action to be prompted, not by the divine Centre, but by what others may say or think. Sadly, we must confess that our experience is all to frequently characterized by endless attempts to justify what we do or fail to do. And how violently this problem rears its ugly head the moment we seek a simpler lifestyle. Whereas before we were tyrannized by the desire to look affluent, now we are tyrannized by the desire to look scant. If what we own can look slightly austere and unvarnished, then perhaps others will think we live in simplicity. Painfully, we know we are too dependent on the approval of others. We sincerely want to do what is right, but our own self-consciousness betrays our lack of true simplicity.
Authentic living. Our century thirsts for the authenticity of simplicity, the spirit of prayer and the life of obedience.
A "single eye" (Matthew 6:22) describes a generous unselfish spirit and a single aim in life... with our eye focused on Christ the centre, we are to live with glad and generous hearts. This is simplicity.
We live centred in trust and faith and all our action and work arises out of that centre. It is not fear and anxiety over tomorrow that prompt us to work, but obedience to the divine command.
Jesus came from the 'middle class' of Galilee, the skilled workers.
What we discover from the New Testament witness is the combination of a penetrating criticism of wealth with a carefree, almost light-hearted attitude towards possessions. It is a combination seldom found today.
The tithe simply is not a sufficiently radical concept to embody the carefree unconcern for possessions that marks life in the Kingdom of God.
We need an inward simplification of life, a freedom to live from the 'Divine Centre': "We feel honestly the pull of many obligations and try to fulfill them all. And we are unhappy, uneasy, strained, oppressed and fearful we shall be shallow. We have hints that there is a way of life vastly richer and deeper than all this hurried existence, a life of unhurried serenity and peace and power. If only we could slip over to that Centre! We have seen and known some people who seem to have found this deep Centre of living, where the fretful calls of life are integrated, where No as well as Yes can be said with confidence." (Thomas Kelley)
When we live out of the Divine Centre, thoughts and decisions flow from the Fountainhead. All relevant data are considered, to be sure, but decisions stem from a source deeper than facts and figures. Once we have understood the mind of the Father, we can speak our Yes or No with confidence. We will have no need to reverse our decision if the winds of opinion change, for we have spoken out of a deeper reality than the latest Gallup poll.
We are engaged in a joyous adventure, not a sour faced penance. God is no killer of happiness (re. the practice of the presence).
One of the most profound effects of inward simplicity is the rise of an amazing spirit of contentment.
Of the sincere, Fenelon says, "They are always studying themselves, going over all their words and all their thoughts, and going back over all that they have done, afraid of having said or done too much." The sincere are not yet simple. They have a kind of artificial vigour that makes us feel uncomfortable, though we cannot fault the virtue. They put us on edge and make us feel ill at ease. This often concerns us because they seem so spiritual, so determined to know God. We wonder if our discomfort stems from a resistance to God and His way. In reality, however, it is due to the fact that these deeply committed folk are trying too hard. They lack the ease, freedom and naturalness that mark true interior simplicity. We would prefer less perfect people who are more at ease with themselves...I have students who are keenly conscientious and determined to come into God. Sometimes I need to tell them to relax and quite trying to be so religious.
It begins to consider God more often than it considers self, and insensibly it tends to forget self in order to become more concerned with God with a love devoid of self-interest.
To be silent is probably the best way to deal with self-love (not verbal debasement).
Joy. not grit, is the hallmark of holy obedience. We need to be lighthearted in what we do to avoid taking ourselves too seriously. It is a cheerful revolt against self and pride. Our work is jubilant, carefree, merry. Utter abandonment to God is done freely and with celebration. And so I urge you to enjoy this ministry of self-surrender. Don't push too hard. Hold this work lightly, joyfully.
1. You cannot TRY to be less egocentric!
2. You CAN seek first the Kingdom of God.
3. Begin NOW to obey God in every way you can. In every task of your day seek to live in utter surrender, listening and obedient.
4. In holy obedience: get up quickly and keep going if you stumble and fall (which surely you will!)
5. Still all vain talk about ourselves and others. Let your Yes be yes and your No be no.
A compliment affirms what is already there or coming into being. Flattery degrades us by saying something that isn't.
"There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less." - Chesterton
It is SIMPLER and EASIER to go all out and embrace 'voluntary poverty'; there are far less decisions to be made. But poverty is NOT simplicity. Poverty is a means of grace; simplicity is the grace itself.
"I am learning that a man can live profoundly without masses of things..." Develop close friendships and enjoy long evenings of serious and hilarious conversation. Such times are far more rewarding than all the plastic entertainment that the world tries to foist upon us. Value music, books, art, significant travel. If you are too busy to read, you are too busy. Discover prayer as evening entertainment.
Never put happiness at centre stage. It is the by-product of the life of service, never the chief end of life. Happiness is not a right to be grasped, but a serendipity to be enjoyed.
Stop trying to impress people with your clothes and impress them with your life.
"Civilization is a limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities." - Mark Twain
"To have what we want is riches, but to be able to do without is power." - George MacDonald
We are seeking to be led by the Holy Spirit to the truly abandoned and defenseless. We will defend the cause of people who are not politically "interesting". We will be bringing before mayors and city councilmen issues that all others would like to sweep under the rug. We will be making people uncomfortable over matters they deem "trivial". But that is what is asked of us if we are to identify with the genuinely poor and forgotten.
Make honesty and integrity the distinguishing characteristics of your speech.
"Frugality is good if liberality be joined with it. The first is leaving off superfluous expenses; the last bestowing them to the benefit of others that need." - William Penn
History is full of ordinary people who, like Amos, were called to positions of influence far beyond their intentions.
Be attentive to the voice of the Shepherd; seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness; obey him in all things.
