What does a life of simplicity look like? What is simplicity? These may be some of the questions that are raised in your mind when you hear the word simplicity. The discipline of simplicity “is an inward reality that results in an outward life-style” (Foster 80). Foster goes on to say that, “Both the inward and the outward aspects of simplicity are essential. We deceive ourselves if we believe we can possess the inward reality without it having a profound effect on how we live” (80).
Simplicity is more than giving clothes away to Good Will or Salvation Army. It is more than living with fewer material objects. It is more than using or fixing something until it can no longer be used. The discipline of simplicity begins on the inside. Without being simplistic on the inside, all outward expressions are meaningless.
So what does it mean then to live simplicity on the inside? Living simplicity on the inside is the conviction that what we have is a gift. That is you have an attitude of gratitude. It is trust that God care for and sustains what we have. It is a willingness to have what we have available to others. When we live a life of inward simplicity, then our outward actions will reflect our inward reality. Forster list ten principles guiding the outward of expression of simplicity. They are: buy things for their usefulness rather than their status, reject anything that is producing an addiction in you, develop a habit of giving things away, refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry, learn to enjoy things without owning them, develop a deeper appreciation for the creation, look with healthy skepticism at all the “buy now, pay later’ schemes, Obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech, reject anything that breeds the oppression of others, and shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God.
So my plan for this week practice this disciple was to take time, examine my inner attitude towards these ten principles and assess if I was living a simplistic inner life.
Well, I didn’t follow through on my plan. I did not set aside any time to examine my life. Even though I failed to follow through on my plan, I did notice several things about my inner life. The first thing is that when I am not seeking the kingdom of God first, or in the words of St. Augustine, “having a properly order loved,” my inner life is full of anxiety and stress which is translated in an outward expression of single mindedness. That single mindedness is focusing on myself, meeting the my wants and my needs, completing my agenda rather than seeking guidance from God.
Secondly, I notice that my outward expressions of simplicity are meaningless when I don’t live an inner life of simplicity. That is, I do things for the sake of doing them. My motives are selfish and my values are misplaced.
Thirdly, my thoughts and actions conform more to the patterns of this world than the patterns of God and his word.
So what about you? Are you living an inner life of simplicity or are you just going through the motions of simplicity? How do we cultivate this inward life of simplicity even as you work, save, make decisions about your money, possessions, time, reputation? I challenge you to set aside time to examine your own life. Are you living a simple life?
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