Simplicity

Simplicity

In the world but not of it

Is there anything wrong with too much TV? How about consistently eating an unhealthy diet? How about not living according to a budget? These are all things I have struggled with at different times. I have found it easy to move into condemnation over these things. I have also found it easy to move into legalism about them. After all, we do have to eat; there are some things we have to buy. How strict do you get?

Activities

Jeremiah talks about forsaking the fountain of living waters to use broken cisterns that hold no water. (Jer.2:13) To me, this is the issue. I can get so caught up in life, the things of this world, I start forgetting God days without number. (Jer.2:32) I begin to lack spiritual hygiene. Nobody passes through this life unscathed. We live in a broken world with a sin nature based in self. We all need comfort in God’s love; we all need regular confession, repentance and cleansing in His blood. Without these, issues build up and swirl beneath the surface. Anxieties build and life seems to get anything but simple and restful. We start looking to worldly comforts.

Reprieve

There is a reprieve, a secret place of rest in God. He is the sanctifier. Spending time waiting in His presence is the only way to be clean, have faith and live in simplicity. A place of letting go of all the things we are constantly trying to figure out, replaying them over and over in our minds. A place of letting go of ways people have not acknowledged us or treated us as we thought they should. It is a place of letting go of the broken cisterns of this world to get our needs met and finding comfort in His love alone. Look at the beautiful simplicity in Psalms 131

“My heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord, from this time forth and forever.”

Father is gently calling us. Will we put action to our faith expressed by coming to Him and showing Him our love?