Slowing Down 5 – Simplicity

Simplicity

If, in our attempt to be grateful for and satisfied with what we have, we must realize the value of living simply. Fr. Dave Gutmann recommended a book on the same theme as Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy, called The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer.

Comer shares some steps toward Simplicity:

1. Before you buy something, ask yourself, “What is the cost of this item?” (upkeep, maintenance, insurance, cleaning, etc.) Will it add value to my life and help me enjoy God and the world even more? Or distract me?
2. Before you buy, ask yourself, by buying this, am I oppressing the poor or harming the earth?
3. Never impulse buy. The larger the item, the longer you should wait.
4. When you do buy, opt for fewer, better things. Instead of buying a lot of cheaply (and often unjustly) made items, live without for a while and then buy a quality item that will last.
5. When you can, share, rather than buy.
6. Get into the habit of giving things away. Want a more blessed life? Give. Generously. Regularly. Less shopping means more money to share, which in turn means a more blessed life.
7. Live by a budget. A budget is to your money what a schedule is to your time. It’s a way to make sure that your “treasure” is going to the right place and not getting squandered.
8. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
9. Cultivate a deep appreciation for creation. If materialism de-spiritualizes us, nature has the opposite effect; it re-spiritualizes our souls.
10. Cultivate a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures. Every stroll, sunrise, or good conversation with an old friend is a potential portal to the grateful enjoyment of life in God’s world.
11. Recognize advertising for what it is—propaganda. Call out the lie.
12. Lead a cheerful, happy revolt against the spirit of materialism. (Comer recommends we start with our closet.)

I tried his suggestion of going through my closet. I’ve been meaning to do this for quite a while now, and a weight change is making many of my clothes no longer “fitting.” I’m embarrassed to say, I discovered I own 24 sweaters! Now, given that I grew up in Montana, one might be able to explain owning several, but 24? In each category of clothing that I considered, I own an over-abundance.

John the Baptist exhorted, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” ^{(NIV, Luke 3:11)} The King James Version says two coats. Not quite sweaters, but close. And Dorothy Day, the prominent Catholic Worker Movement activist and writer, went a step further and said, “If you have two coats, one of them belongs to the poor.” (How’s that for inducing guilt? Not my intention, but something to ponder.)

I’m just back from delivering a carload of clothing to Goodwill. It feels good, but to be honest, my closet still holds more than I need. I can do better. I can take some of Comer’s other advice and stop impulse buying and not purchasing what I (or my grandchildren) don’t need. (Just one more stuffed animal?) I’m not sure I can go all the way to his current practice of owning two casual outfits and two Sunday outfits. I’ll take baby steps. (One of my grandchildren gave up buying things for Lent. I could learn from him.)

Is there an area of your life where the Spirit is moving you to live more simply? Maybe it’s not in the things you own, but the occupation of your time. Or the demands and expectations that you place on yourself. Or how you want to be perceived by others.

Like the old Shaker song, “Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free.” Or, an even better advisor…

Then [Jesus] said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. ^{(NIV, Luke 12:15)}

Or in the parable of the sower, “Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” ^{(NIV Mark 4: 18-19)}

Let’s not let the worries of this world, or the desire for more things, choke God’s word and make it unfruitful.

Only a little more than a week until Holy Week! May the time be a blessing to your life!