By: Michele Laccabue
But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
Our days are full, abundant and busy. Every hour of every day, we have freedom of choice. We attempt to “be everything to everyone,” try to check off a to-do list that is longer than time allows and endlessly pursue all the things that money buys.
What are we chasing after? Will our culture’s insatiable appetite for more lead to happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment? In chasing after “it,” we naturally try to squeeze one more thing into the schedule and budget. The inevitable outcome is a hurried and anxious lifestyle lacking peace and space to see and do what God intended for us to experience.
Am I alone in this? Do you relate?
John Mark Comer’s book “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” has captured my attention on this subject. How convicting it was to hear that “hurry” is the great enemy of our spiritual lives! Both sin and busyness have the same effect of cutting off our connection to God, people and our souls. Ouch!
Our unrelentless chase/hurry leads to over packed schedules and overwhelmed souls.
(I hope this gets your attention, too.)
Hence, it is necessary to chat about the spiritual discipline of simplicity. Yes, simplicity is a SPIRITUAL practice: a decision to pursue a more simplistic, minimalistic lifestyle which allows for more time to build healthier relationships with God and His people. Less is more: less clutter physically, spiritually and emotionally; more joy, freedom and generosity.
Thankfully, Jesus teaches us how to apply simplicity in our lives. He spends a considerable amount of time on the topic of money. If not handled properly, it is the culprit to our lack of time, freedom and joy. For example, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) gives us applicable nuggets on the subject.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21
“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, drink, or wear.”
Matthew 6:25
“No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and money.’
Matthew 6:24
Are you weary and burdened by the unreasonable expectations that you’ve been chasing, fed up with the “Keeping up with the Joneses” mentality? How is your schedule? Is there any margin to breathe?
It is time for us to simplify, simplify, simplify. And it starts with God being our FIRST priority.
“BUT seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33
Friends, our first meeting of the day must be with God: resting in His presence, renewing and refilling our minds with His words and direction. As we prioritize this relationship, a shuffling of our old ways begins to reorient and align with His economy, His timeline and His desires. We see what He wants us to see, and we have MARGIN to share our time, treasures and talents with others. There is peace and joy!
As believers in Jesus, we have been set apart to live differently than the world. Take time to honestly evaluate what “of this world” must be removed from your daily chase so you can experience simplicity.