A Journey in Simplicity: Starting Out
Over the next days, and weeks consider taking a journey with me. I have decided to go on a a voyage toward simplifying my life with a strong focus on distractions. Removing things from my life in order to allow me to hear what God is saying, what he wants of me and how He loves me. Pray about it, think about it then come with me!
There is stuff I need to work on. Need an example? Sure! I wake up in the morning and the first thing I do is turn on the computer. I justify it in my mind and heart as, " I just need to check email, I'm not awake enough to get anything out of the Bible yet anyway..." or other such nonsense. Then I just sit there after I check my email, and I check facebook to see what everyone is up to, then I check my twitter account and on and on. Time has ticked, before I have cracked God's word, the boys are due to get up anytime- so I grab the Bible and spend 5 minutes reading and feel justified in being annoyed with the boys when they interupt me at their regular rise time of 9am. Okay, there you have it- and that is all before breakfast!!
I picked up a book last night that has spurred me to act against this mentality, or whatever it is. I consumed chapter after chapter of The Rewards of Simplicity: A Practical and Spiritual Approach last night. I know I need change, I need to take a respite. I need real-life God time. I will not spend time with God out of ritual, but because in order to be filled by Him consistently I need my flesh to grow weak, I need His word in me, His voice in my heart where others try to creep in- I need silence of so many other things. Distractions.
I challenge you to go on this road too with me. Find the areas of clutter in your life, these can be physical stuff around your house, too much time spent on the internet, watching tv, reading, blogging, sports, cleaning the house, video game playing....there are so many time stealers out there. It can also be ways you're serving Christ out of guilt rather than obedience- all these rob time from you, your relationship with Christ and your family. Take a step back and peek into your life.
I am going to take it all on, I am inspired now so why not. For the next week I am killing my craving for the computer. I am going to pray about it and tomorrow (Monday) I'll let you know for sure exactly what I feel I am allowing to distract me, to meet cravings, or leave me flat. I want to re-evaluate what has value in my life and why it has value. What has cluttered my house, my mind and my time? For me this fast might include different things than it will for you, ask God what you run to instead of Him. Ask your husband, he would probably know! I am not going to stop blogging, as I want to post during the week what God is speaking, and some Bible verses, words God has spoken to me...all that good stuff. I would love to stay connected with you during this time, especially if you are spurred on to take this walk with me.
What distractions in your life would you have a hard time giving up? That is a good place to start. Think about it, check in tomorrow for some tips and ideas, and do pray about it- the trip starts Monday.
The Rewards of Simplicity: A Practical and Spiritual Approach
This is the book that started this all, I am on chapter 4 and will be posting different things from this book as I glean from it. It is the best book I have read yet on why it is improtant to simplify both spiritually and practically- it seems most other books cover one or the other. I highly recommend this one.
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August 15th, 2010 - 00:53
WOW! I definitely need to think about this. I really need and then I can come back and comment.
August 15th, 2010 - 06:08
Ooh…that sounds like exactly what I do in the morning. :(. Count me in. I’ll have to see if I can get my hands on one of those books. :)
August 15th, 2010 - 08:23
There is definitely too much stuff in my house and in my life. Stuff and distractions that I’m all too eager to take refuge in instead of taking refuge in Him when things are tough, and even when things aren’t so tough. You’ve definitely given me some food for thought, too.
August 15th, 2010 - 17:01
Bethany, lets continue to chat about this… I will hopefully see you a little more this week :) It is so great to come back reevaluate where our heart’s focus has been. I will be blessed to hear what you’ve read from the book. I am encouraged to pray and contemplate what God is showing me this week! See you tomorrow..
August 15th, 2010 - 19:39
Hey Bethany,
Please share what you are reading. I have really been wanting to do something like this. To take some time and pray about my time. I have been wanting to just lay it all out for God. But I just couldn’t find the time to take a break and schedule relax quiet time : ) My life can easily get busy with so much stuff—especially with school soon to begin. This is the perfect time to evaluate my schedule. I will take that time this week to lay it out, pray, listen, do nothing, and pray some more. It will be exciting to see what God shows all of us.
August 16th, 2010 - 09:43
I have been thinking about this a lot. And did a lot on our camping trip this past weekend.
I’m with you sister. I took a Facebook fast for Lent and in ways wish I hadn’t gone back. It can be good…but it can also be a huge distraction.
August 16th, 2010 - 19:30
A few months ago God prompted me to do one thing to simplify my life: not listen to music on the 20 minute drive home from work. Nothing earth shattering has necessarily happened during that silent ride, except that I have realized how much noise I surround myself with day to day. A couple times I’ve made up my own praise songs to sing. I’ve rolled down the windows and enjoyed the fresh air instead of keeping them up so I don’t ruin all the good bass I’ve got thumping, haha. I’ve gotten lost in the winding paths of my thoughts. The best part was being obedient to God’s prompting, for no other reason than to be obedient out of love for Him. That felt good, instead of making all those little excuses and rationalizations to keep doing things my way, like you talked about. BTW a while back I read a book called “Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World,” by Suzanne Woods Fisher, that they carry at Parable – highly recommend it. It makes you think about family, money, possessions, forgiveness, trials, work, charity, etc. in a whole new way.
August 17th, 2010 - 12:23
I have commited myself to what I call “First Focus” for most of the last year – letting the first words and thoughts of the day be for God. It has been delightful – and my days always go so much better. I would love to read this book. I am on a journey of simplifying everything in my life. (Cleaned out the kitcchen yesterday and threw out, recycled and took loads of stuff to Goodwill. Now I love my kitchen!)