Do you long for a simple life? Some days our personal lives feel like a tangled up mess of obligations, emotions, and troubling circumstances, don’t they? And, the problems of the world around us just complicate things even further. All of it weighs heavily on our hearts and minds. Like many of you, my life has felt messy and difficult to understand lately. Maybe that’s why God keeps putting the word “simple” in front of me. I’ve been noticing it showing up in songs, books, sermons, conversations, and even things I see in nature.
“Simple” shows up at the beach…
One place I found myself thinking about the word “simple” was at the beach. Have you noticed how people are more carefree at the beach, especially in the middle of winter? From the warmth of the sun, to the rhythmic sound of the waves, to a brilliant blue sky–the simple, pure, wide open space of a beach pleases the senses and relaxes the body.
The beach appeals to our desire for simplicity in other ways too. For example, a beach getaway allows us to travel lighter. Sandy destinations don’t require a lot of equipment, layers of clothing, or extra entertainment. A towel, swimsuit, and a good book will suffice. At the beach, we also have a sense of freedom from schedules, worries, and expectations of others. With less stuff and fewer demands, life slows down and feels more manageable. We might daydream, plan, or just refresh ourselves. With this time to sort and reorder priorities, we find renewed determination to focus on what matters.
For me, the beach is one way God uses nature as a reminder to pursue a simpler life. And, if God uses the beach to inspire simplicity, then wouldn’t he also use his Word? Maybe you are already recalling some verses about living carefree, casting our burdens on him, and trusting his control.
My focus on simplifying life led me to dig deeper into what the Bible says about the topic. Using some concepts discovered, I put together a formula of action steps using letters of the word SIMPLE. It helps me to remember a few things I can do when life feels too complicated. I hope it will help you too!
A SIMPLE Life Formula
S is for Space
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:19-21
I wonder, do you often feel as I do–like you have too much stuff and too much stuff going on? It can be overwhelming and disheartening! Let’s clear out the clutter in our closets and the clutter on our calendar too. We get to decide where our treasure lies. So, let’s put the brakes on this relentless, earthly pursuit of more.
Open up space in your life so you can move closer to God.
- Consider your purchases and commitments thoughtfully before making them.
- Ask how much is enough? What does it take to be content right now?
- Review belongings and calendar obligations on a regular basis. Who could benefit from something you don’t use? What would be refreshing about the time and space you take back?
- Relish the peaceful, quiet space you’ve opened up by spending time with God.
- Explore and enjoy what God has already given you. Move, dream, feel, and create more freely. Dig deeper into the ways he inspires you. Take time to share him and what he brings into your life with others.
I is for Intentional Living
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:37-39
In the midst of the world’s chaos, it can be hard to stay focused on loving God and others. Often, we react too quickly, without giving thought to our words and actions. Or, we invest too much time, thought, and energy into unbeneficial things. Then, our attention quickly slips away from being loving and life becomes more difficult. We can simplify life by keeping Jesus’ basic instructions top-of-mind throughout our days and striving to follow them.
Be intentional about using your life to do what Jesus said matters the most–loving God and people.
- Think about what you enjoy doing and what others appreciate about you. List the characteristics, skills, gifts, and talents that make you one-of-a-kind.
- How might these qualities help you care for others and highlight God’s goodness? What are some ways you share God and his message of love with others?
- Ask God to help you see and act on the possibilities he gives you to love him and others. Practice simplicity by living intentionally and thanking him for the opportunities you discover.
M is for Meaningful Relationships
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17
Today’s technology makes it easier than ever to connect with people. And, while some of those connections certainly do enrich our lives, others end up being short-term or superficial, leading to greater isolation. No doubt, I know how easy it is to grow overly fond of apps, social media, and entertainment options. They expand our horizons, relax, and humor us. But, they also complicate life and keep us from building valuable relationships. I think you’ll agree, our footing in life feels more solid and sure when we are supported by people we know and trust.
Invest yourself in meaningful relationships which strengthen and encourage you, especially in hard times.
- Reflect on who uplifts, guides, helps, and celebrates you.
- Are you working on building significant relationships in life?
- Are there relationships you need to repair, loosen your grip on, or let go?
- How are your connections on-line versus in-person a blessing to you?
- What are some ways you can become more mindful of technology and its impact on your relationships?
- Are you working on building a meaningful relationship with Jesus too?
P is for Practices and Principles
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:22-23
Because our days tend to be fast-paced, we often don’t stop to reflect on our moral principles, decisions, or habits until a crisis strikes and life gets hard. However, if we commit ahead of time to learning from and following Jesus’ example, we’ll endure any crisis with greater hope and assurance. As we seek to know, love, and follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit’s power works within us. He produces a simpler life by steering us toward the right course and transforming our character into the likeness of Jesus.
Live a Christ-centered life, allowing the fruits of the Spirit to flourish through your values, words, and actions.
- Think about what you do to stay close to Christ each day.
- Does he come to mind when you are making choices, interacting with others, or feeling grateful?
- Do you spend time getting to know him through the Bible, prayer, in nature, and other resources?
- Which fruit or characteristics of Christ do you see evolving in yourself? Which would you like the Spirit to produce more of?
L is for Less of Me and More of Him
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
John 3:30
In this Bible verse, John the Baptist is teaching us about the importance of humility and selflessness. Like other things we tend to idolize, success and recognition can tempt us to emphasize our own interests and glory over God’s. When we do this, our lives and emotions can become more difficult to handle. Being mindful of this human tendency helps us remember to prayerfully check our own ambitions against what God may be trying to accomplish.
Seek a humble life which eagerly reflects the light of Christ. Simplify life by magnifying Christ.
- Consider the differences you see between someone who genuinely praises God for their achievements versus someone who seeks the spotlight for themselves. How does their work affect you? Are you interested in hearing more from one or the other?
- How might God be intending to work through you to reach someone else?
- What can you do to show someone more of who Jesus is and what he can do for them?
E is for Eyes on Eternity
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:18
All the suffering and trouble we go through constantly demands our attention. And, it’s easier to focus on the immediate pain of our circumstances rather than on the unseen rewards of faith. But, redirecting our attention to the promise of an eternal life without any sin or suffering comforts us, delivers hope, and helps us go on. God blesses us with the endurance needed to live with peace and joy, in spite of pain, when we keep our eyes on eternity.
Attend to sorrows and pain, but keep your focus on persevering toward the promised glories ahead.
- Think about a trial in your life and the ways an eternal outlook could help you cope with it.
- How might your trial give others an opportunity to see God at work through you?
- What are some ways you seek God and his peace over your trials?
Our Longing for Simplicity
This longing we have for a simple life is a part of our human nature. It’s a yearning for the perfect world God originally created, the one without suffering, where we live eternally and joyfully with him. When sin entered our world, it brought brokenness and trials which will continue until Jesus returns.
Over and over, the Bible tells us God never intended for us to just muddle through the complex trouble in this world. It is a book full of instructions on how to live a simpler life by rising above the strife and discovering the peace his fellowship brings. Specifically, through the sampling of verses above, his teaching inspires us to: open up space to move closer to him, live intentionally to love him and others, develop meaningful relationships, apply practices and principles which let the Spirit’s fruit flourish, seek humility to show less of ourselves and more of him, and finally, keep our eyes on eternity, always persevering with faith.
What the SIMPLE action steps have in common
SIMPLE = Space + Intentional Living + Practices & Principles + Less of Me, More of Him + Eyes on Eternity.
All of the SIMPLE Bible verses have something in common; they share a commitment to know God better. If we remember to keep God close to our heart, then our trust in his care grows. When we trust more, we worry less. His deep assurance settles us down and moves us onward. Certainly, trials will still come, but knowing God better helps us accept them one day at a time, while doing what we can and believing he will always take care of us, no matter what comes. This quote by J.I. Packer sums it up well:
Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.
—J.I. Packer, theologian and author of Knowing God
Is there a Bible verse that encourages you to lead a simpler life? Or, an action step that helps you? I’d love to hear about it. Share it in the comments section below or send it to me using my contact form.
Press on in faith my friends! ~Jamie
Related Posts
Kick Materialism to the Curb
Loving God with All your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength
When you don’t feel like God’s masterpiece, remember this…
Join Us Together, Lord, like a Cord of Three Strands: an Ecclesiastes 4:12 prayer-poem
Connecting with the Holy Spirit
Making Pie with the Holy Spirit
Getting to Know God Better
A Race of Faith: soaring toward what God has in store
Praise God Through Every Season of Life
Considering Joy in the Setbacks
Battles, Trust, and Holding Up
I Will Come Forth As Gold (Job 23:10)
Inspiring Resources
How should a Christian view materialism? –GotQuestions.org
What is Christian minimalism? –GotQuestions.org
The Call to Simplicity Series –ElisabethElliott.org
How to live a simple and wasted life –DesiringGod.org
Should rich Christians downgrade their lifestyle? –DesiringGod.org
What should we think of flashy pastors? –DesiringGod.org
Note: I took the photos for this post along the beaches of Naples, Florida.
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Indeed, simplicity is a fine word. Living in a materialistic culture, where “having it all” seems to be a lifestyle and worldview, one can see the contradiction in terms for those who claim to follow the Lord. The Bible notes that having wealth is not a sin, unless one makes these things idols, and places them on the throne of their lives. We should place our confidence and trust in Christ alone, knowing that we are to lay up our treasures in Heaven, “where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and thieves do not break through and steal.” But regarding the beach, and nature, we can enjoy God’s handiwork, but not worship these things also, setting them as idols, replacing material idols for natural ones. Soli Deo Gloria
So true, John. Thank you for sharing these insightful comments about idolatry, especially how one can slide into worshipping nature just as easily as wealth and material goods. Good point!