While reading today for my small group, I looked at the spiritual discipline of simplicity. I find myself thinking about a wood carving my boss has in her kitchen, it is just the word simplicity carved out of cherry wood. In a cultural that has some many choices and options has simplicity been replaced never to be heard from again? According to Wikipedia simplicity, “is the property, condition or quality of being simple or un-combined. It often denotes beauty, purity or clarity. Simple things are usually easier to explain and understand than complicated ones. Simplicity can mean freedom from hardship, effort or confusion.” Sounds like a lifestyle I wish and want to live, but wikipedia’s definition appears to be lacking something. Keith Drury says simplicity is “intentionally paring down our lifestyle toward the essentials to free ourselves from the tyranny of things and focus more on spiritual life.” Simplicity is still alive and is calling all Christians to a lifestyle that allows one to focus on God and less on the material.
That’s a life I want to have and one I seek.
About Me
- Keys (aka Josh Keesling)
- Asheboro, NC, United States
- I am currently the assistant pastor of Ramseur Wesleyan Church, which I just started in July of 2008. I have a great job working with youth, young adults and the christian education departments of Ramseur Wesleyan. Growing up on the small family farm in Indiana, I never knew God would call me all the way to Asheboro, NC, but God is great and I can see His hand moving through my life.
4 comments:
I too have had an ongoing relationship with this word and concept. I am reading the 4th century theologian Ephraim the Syrian at the moment, and simplicity and the concept of singlness of heart is a huge issue for them and the Byzantine christians of the time. There is a Zen sect which purportedly had a practice of removing one item from one's living quarters every time you left the room just to inforce a simple lifestyle. I did the Jesuit volunteer corps a few years ago and it is one of the core values they live by. I think of simplicity as a way to give compassion room to grow, which the Buddhists do as well; and that takes us back to the two basic commandments of the NT, which is to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourself. pretty simple huh?
Josh,
It looks like you maintain a good blog here, I'll be checking in on ya. I hope your resume is finding some good places. A church would be fortunate to have you.
Malcolm XYZ, totally agree with you. I really to think through many different Spiritual Disciplines like simplicity we open ourselves up to an outpouring of God’s greatness and grace. While reading this book the author quotes Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “To be simple is to fix one’s eye solely on the simple truth of God at a time when all concepts are being confused, distorted, and turned upside down.” This singular or simple focus of the Christian life is so profound. Especially when you think that when one truly loves God and neighbor, it is really God’s love pouring through us as a conduit that channels love to everyone we come into contact with.
Anyway, just some thoughts. Thanks for posting.
brooks,
Thanks for the kind words. I have been sending out resumes and I am looking for pastor of spiritual formation/discipleship job - maybe get some young adult ministry stuff also.
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