In a world that seems to be more and more cluttered with frustrations, concerns, uncertainties, pain, and hurt from emotional & physical challenges coupled with spiritual obstacles, aren’t we thankful that God only wants us to Live Simply for Him? His desire is for us to be saved and not live a complicated life. There is just so much pressure to be successful in our society!!!
According to an article in the New York Post in March of 2018. A study was conducted regarding the “busyness” of American families. The article begins with the following statement: “American families get just 37 minutes of quality time together per day, according to new research. A study of 2,000 parents with school-aged children across the country found the extent to which hectic routines take a toll during the work week with the families polled managing less than 45 minutes all together on a typical weekday. Many families are still struggling for time to properly bond and enjoy each other without distraction. That might be because 60 percent of parents describe their daily lives as “hectic” and one in four say that the lack of family quality time away from chores, work, school or TV is a real problem.” Life is challenging and busy! We all seem to be so busy that our focus on God has become clouded and we sometimes forget to do what we are commanded. We sometimes get distracted with the complexity of life that we are not “living simply for Christ.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says the duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments. The text says: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
The good news is God’s message for us is not complicated. His message is not confusing. His message is comforting. His expectations are not beyond anything we can grasp! God is saying, “Be my disciple and stop being concerned with your desires.” What does God want us to be? He wants us to be a disciple! In the New Testament, the word “disciple” is used 269 more times than the word Christian. The word Christian is an important word….it is a word that Jesus has stamped on us. But the word used to teach us what a Christian is, is the word Disciple!
We are supposed to be disciplining ourselves to be like our Master; our Savior. Matthew 6:19-21 says this begins with our focus, our vision, and where we place our energy day in and day out. The text says: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We need to focus on the spiritual idea of simplicity. Each day, we are given a choice to choose activities that lead to greater earthly prosperity OR to choose things that lead to greater future eternal rewards. It is not only about making our life simple. It is more about simply making our life about the kingdom of God. We need to focus on our relationship with Christ. We do this by looking at the example that has been left for us: Jesus!
John 4:34 says Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” Jesus was unencumbered by the restrictions associated with life because of His focus on His mission which was to: live simply, be a humble servant, and to please God.
We must find ways to provide for ourselves and our families without allowing our “secular work” to detract from spiritual growth, spiritual commitment, and our relationship with Christ. My friend, Jeremy Prichard once said, “My work is what I do, it’s not who I am!” May we seek to live simply because of “who we are and Whose we are!” Living simply means living simply for Christ.
