August 16, 2009

• Simplicity and Freedom

  Simplicity is freedom.  It brings joy and balance and sets us free from anxiety.  The Christian discipline of simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle.  It begins with living out what Thomas Kelly called “The Divine Center.”  God = the Divine Center.  If we seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness of His kingdom, then everything necessary will come in its proper order.  God desires for us to have adequate material provision, but the Bible is very clear about its stance against the inner spirit of slavery that idolatrous attachments to wealth brings.  Simplicity sets us free to receive the provision of God as a gift that is not ours to keep but as something that can be freely shared with others. 

  And this is the key:  “If what we have, we receive as a gift; and if what we have is to be cared for by God; and if what we have is available to others, then we will possess freedom from anxiety.  This is the inward reality of simplicity.  However, if what we have we believe we have gotten; and if what we have, we have believe we must hold onto; and if what we have is not available to others, then we will live in anxiety.  Such persons will never know simplicity regardless of the outward contortions they may put themselves through in order to live ‘the simple life.’”   — Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline

  I’ve been thinking about the freedom of simplicity a lot this past month, especially as we have been on a long journey of cleaning and organizing our home to make space for the baby.  And the fact is, with babies, there’s this sense of overwhelming need to buy a lot of (unnecessary) things.  But as a result of prolonged meditation on this discipline, I truly feel that there’s FREEDOM to simplicity.  The less we have, the more free we will be.  Living simply, though, is truly a challenging discipline.  Though I’m truly convinced by this truth, living it out seems to be a whole ‘nother matter. 

  Foster’s key statement that we must see every object as gifts that we have received, as objects that God will take care of and as resources that should be available to others are not attitudes that I grew up with.  This is why it is challenging for me.  But I realized that in order to possess this attitude, one must have a super-glue gripping trust in God.  There must be certainty and unwavering, steadfast confidence and trust that He will provide for you always. That is what is meant by Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”  This is an exhortation to be free because God promises that He will provide us what we need — namely, with Himself.

  On Friday, Sam and I were praying through Psalm 112, and I felt convicted by verse 5, “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely…”  Living in this way is not my natural disposition, but my prayer continues to be that God would help me trust in His provision more and more that I might be more and more generous toward others.  There will be sweet freedom there.

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